site.btaCorrect Formation of Intestinal Microbiome in Infants Important for Future Health - Study

The correct formation of the intestinal microbiome is important not only for the current state of an infant, but also for long-term health, Dr. Iliyana Rasheva from the Department of General and Industrial Microbiology at Sofia University stated to BTA.

Rasheva is the head of a project, titled "Microbiome and Composition of Breast Milk: Key Factors, Role and Interrelationship with Oral and Intestinal Microbiota in Newborn Children", which was presented at the Human Milk Bank in the capital in the presence of specialists, pediatricians, neonatologists, microbiologists. The project was carried out under the2022 Competition for Funding of Fundamental Scientific Research programme by the Department of General and Industrial Microbiology at Sofia and the National Centre for Public Health and Analysis.

The project included a complex approach in the study of the microbiome of breast milk, saliva and feces of newborn children, to reveal the interrelationship between them, pointed out Rasheva. The project involved the study of basic physicochemical indicators such as protein, lactose, oligosaccharides, fatty acid profile, biologically active substances, as well as an assessment of the microbial species present. Such a complete scientific study of the Bulgarian population is being done for the first time, and the obtained data can serve to improve the health status of newborn children in Bulgaria, explained the specialist.

The aim of the project was to study exclusively breastfed children. All physico-chemical analysis was performed by the Centre for Public Health and Analysis. The Faculty of Chemistry of Sofia University researched heavy metals and certain types of hormones in breast milk.

Rasheva explained that the complex studies in the project are focused not only on studying the microbiome of breast milk using various modern methods, but also on understanding the factors related to the mother and her newborn, which influence the diversity in the composition of breast milk. The topic of the project also concerns the problem of the shortage of breast milk in Bulgaria for newborns at risk, for whom adapted formulas are not an alternative. This also determines the need to increase public awareness of the existing problem and increase knowledge about the importance of breast milk for newborns, which would contribute to the promotion of breast milk donation in Bulgaria, noted Rasheva.

The term of the project is three years, it is in its initial stage, so there are about twenty complete analyses currently, Rasheva informed. Although it is still not possible to generalize and make final conclusions, the scientist stressed that the presence of lactobacilli is most likely related to the Bulgarian food diet. One of the predominant strains in the population is lactobacillus rhamnosus as lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is one of the most popular probiotic strains, which is widely found in many probiotic products on the market, the scientist explained. The very fact that this species can be isolated in the Bulgarian population indicates that there clearly is a good probiotic potential, commented Rasheva. 

Another conclusion from the project that can be made at this stage is that in a natural birth, many more beneficial types of bacteria "infect" the baby, while in a caesarean section, many more staphylococci and streptococci enter, Rasheva reported. She said the majority of mothers who provided breast milk to the project, about 20, had delivered their babies by caesarean section.

The intestinal microbiome is greatly influenced by the additional intake of probiotics, supplementation with adapted formulas, the environment, breastfeeding, complementary feeding. With the initiation of complementary feeding, the gut microbiome changes, as a lot of fiber is introduced, for example. The study found that initially bifida prevailed in the feces, which gradually gave way to lactobacillus, the specialist explained.

She recalled that breast milk is a source of energy that ensures healthy growth and reduces the risk of obesity. The main carbohydrate in breast milk is lactose - a naturally occurring sugar. There are over 200 types of oligosaccharides in breast milk, which play a key role in the development of the newborn's immune system, help in its development and growth, and protect it from infections, Rasheva pointed out.

According to the European Milk Bank Association, there are 282 breast milk banks in Europe, with 18 more to be opened. There is one Human Milk Bank in Bulgaria, opened in 1989 in Sofia.