The aim is to study whether the microbiota of children who are exposed to antibiotics at birth could be modified by synbiotic supplement and thereby reduce the risk of obesity, chronic diseases and respiratory tract infections. A total of 125 mother-child pairs will be recruited in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Infants are randomized to receive either a synbiotic supplement or a placebo for 2 months, after which their growth and morbidity will be monitored at the research clinic for 2 years.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
125
Bifidobacterium bifidum and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)
Maltodextrin
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku
Turku, Valitse Maakunta., Finland
RECRUITINGBMI at 24 months of age
Child's body mass index (BMI) at the age of 24 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 24 months of age
Height
Child's height at the age of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 24 months of age
Weight
Child's weight at the age of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 24 months of age
Growth velocity
Child's growth velocity at 2-3 months of age
Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months of age
Child's microbiome
The function and composition of the child's gut, nasal, and mouth microbiome at the age of 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 24 months of age
Mother's microbiome
The function and composition of the mother's gut, nasal, and mouth microbiome when the child is 2 and 6 months of age
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after giving birth
Breast milk microbiome
The composition of breast milk's microbiome when the child is 2 and 6 months of age
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months of age
Hormonal levels
Child's hormonal levels (testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) at birth and at the age of 2 and 6 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months of age
Inflammatory markers
Systemic inflammation markers (cytokines, C-reactive protein, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and haptoglobulin) at birth and at the age of 2 and 6 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months of age
Respiratory tract infections
Respiratory tract infections by the age of 24 months
Time frame: From enrollment to 24 months of age
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