Impact of Probiotics During Pregnancy on Breast Milk Sugars

Study Overview

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics explored how probiotic intake during pregnancy affects breast milk sugars and their levels. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), unique sugar molecules found exclusively in human breast milk, play a crucial role in infant health. Although these sugars are generally indigestible by humans, they significantly contribute to the immunity of breastfed infants, reducing their risk of certain diseases and infections.

Research Focus and Methodology

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in the United States, analyzed data from 81 pregnant women participating in a probiotic supplementation study in Finland. Participants included 30 women in a placebo group and 51 in a probiotic group, all of whom provided consent for the study, which received institutional review board approval from the Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Researchers monitored the children born to these mothers for a decade to assess the development of any allergic diseases. The probiotic group consumed four different probiotics in capsule form from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery. Data collection occurred between November 2000 and March 2003, with analysis taking place from March to June 2018.

Effects of Probiotics on Human Milk Composition

While the composition of HMOs is primarily determined by maternal genetics, the study indicated that probiotics taken during pregnancy could alter this composition in human milk. Although it remains unclear whether these changes result directly from the probiotics used in the study, future research may clarify this relationship. This finding challenges previous beliefs that HMO composition is solely genetically determined, suggesting that external factors can influence it.

The Need for Further Research

The authors of the study emphasize the importance of considering diets and medications when evaluating HMO levels in pregnant women. They argue that additional research is essential to explore whether manipulating HMO composition could pave the way for new strategies to prevent food allergies in children. Future studies should also investigate how specific probiotics and dietary components affect individual HMO profiles.

References

Dobbin, S. (2019). Breastmilk sugars differ in pregnant women on probiotics. University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-01/uorm-bsd012219.php
Seppo, A., Kukkonen, A., Kuitunen, M., Savilahti, E., Yonemitsu, C., Bode, L., Jarvinen, K. M. (2019). Association of Maternal Probiotic Supplementation with Human Milk Oligosaccharide Composition. JAMA Pediatrics. Retrieved from doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.4835