Effects of maternal probiotic supplementation on breast milk microbiome and infant gut microbiome and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE The early-life microbiome is formed during the perinatal period and is critical for infants' lifelong health. This is established by maternal-infant microbiome crosstalk, which is mediated by the breast milk microbiome. The milk microbiome is dependent on the maternal gut microbiome, suggesting that it could potentially be restored through oral probiotic supplements. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the effect of maternal probiotic supplements on breast milk and infant gut microbiome composition and on infant health. DATA SOURCES The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Science Direct databases were searched until December 15, 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials following the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (population: pregnant or lactating women; intervention: probiotics; control: placebo or follow-up; outcome: breast milk and infant gut microbiome composition and infant health) principles were included. METHODS Using a random effect model, the standard mean difference, risk difference, and risk ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to measure each outcome. All analyses were conducted using the intention-to-treat approach. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. RESULTS The final data set included 24 randomized controlled trials with a total of 2761 mothers and 1756 infants. The overall effect of probiotics on the beneficial bacteria detection rate in breast milk had a risk difference of 24% (95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.37; P<.001; I2=91.12%). The pooled mean beneficial and pathogenic bacteria abundance in breast milk had a standard mean difference of 1.22 log10 colony forming units/mL (95% confidence interval, 0.48–1.97; P<.001; I2=95.51%) and −1.05 log10 colony forming unites/mL (95% confidence interval, −1.99 to −0.12; P=.03; I2=96.79%), respectively. The overall abundance of beneficial bacteria in the infant gut had a standard mean difference of 0.89 log10 colony forming units/g (95% confidence interval, 0.22–1.56; P=.01; I2=95.01%). It also controlled infant weight gain (standard mean difference, −0.49 kg/equivalent age; 95% confidence interval, −0.82 to −0.17; P<.001; I2=0.00%) and decreased the occurrence of infantile colic (risk ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.57; P<.001; I2=0.00%). CONCLUSION Maternal probiotic supplements effectively orchestrate the breast milk and infant gut microbiome with a wide range of clinical benefits and safety. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus, and S. boulardii can be used as maternal supplements to promote infant health. The early-life microbiome is formed during the perinatal period and is critical for infants' lifelong health. This is established by maternal-infant microbiome crosstalk, which is mediated by the breast milk microbiome. The milk microbiome is dependent on the maternal gut microbiome, suggesting that it could potentially be restored through oral probiotic supplements. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the effect of maternal probiotic supplements on breast milk and infant gut microbiome composition and on infant health. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Science Direct databases were searched until December 15, 2022. Randomized controlled trials following the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (population: pregnant or lactating women; intervention: probiotics; control: placebo or follow-up; outcome: breast milk and infant gut microbiome composition and infant health) principles were included. Using a random effect model, the standard mean difference, risk difference, and risk ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to measure each outcome. All analyses were conducted using the intention-to-treat approach. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. The final data set included 24 randomized controlled trials with a total of 2761 mothers and 1756 infants. The overall effect of probiotics on the beneficial bacteria detection rate in breast milk had a risk difference of 24% (95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.37; P<.001; I2=91.12%). The pooled mean beneficial and pathogenic bacteria abundance in breast milk had a standard mean difference of 1.22 log10 colony forming units/mL (95% confidence interval, 0.48–1.97; P<.001; I2=95.51%) and −1.05 log10 colony forming unites/mL (95% confidence interval, −1.99 to −0.12; P=.03; I2=96.79%), respectively. The overall abundance of beneficial bacteria in the infant gut had a standard mean difference of 0.89 log10 colony forming units/g (95% confidence interval, 0.22–1.56; P=.01; I2=95.01%). It also controlled infant weight gain (standard mean difference, −0.49 kg/equivalent age; 95% confidence interval, −0.82 to −0.17; P<.001; I2=0.00%) and decreased the occurrence of infantile colic (risk ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.57; P<.001; I2=0.00%). Maternal probiotic supplements effectively orchestrate the breast milk and infant gut microbiome with a wide range of clinical benefits and safety. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus, and S. boulardii can be used as maternal supplements to promote infant health.