Probiotics, Nutrition and Microbes

Pediatrics Nutrition

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The intestine of the new-born is essentially sterile. During the birthing process and during the first days of life, the gut is inoculated with bacteria. In the first two days of life, an infant’s intestinal tract is rapidly colonized with bacteria consisting mainly of Enterobacteria. In most breastfeed infants, the Bifidobacteria counts increase rapidly to constitute 80-90% of the total flora. Formula-fed infants, on the other hand, tent to have a flora that is more complex, consisting mostly of coliforms and Bacteroides with significantly lower prevalence of Bifidobacteria.

Effects on innate immunity

·         Compete with and inhibit growth of potential pathogens

·         Promote mucin production

·         Decrease gut permeability

·         Enhance natural killer cell activity, macrophage stimulation, and phagocytosis

Effects on adaptive immunity

·         Increase total and specific s IgA in serum and intestinal lumen

·         Increase IgA-, IgG-, and IgM- secreting cells

Modulate inflammatory gut immune responses