In high-quality studies, the Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) probiotic strain has been scientifically investigated as part of a specific three-strain probiotic blend, in babies born prematurely. The results suggest that this specific three-strain blend may be helpful in shaping a baby’s gut microbiome, which is important for their health.

Chr. Hansen Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361)

The Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) probiotic strain was isolated from the intestine of a healthy baby. Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) is safe for consumption; it has been granted QPS¹ (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status in Europe. Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) has been used as an ingredient in food and food supplements since the early 1990’s.

Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) has been associated with beneficial effects in preterm babies

In two high-quality clinical studies involving more than 1,200 premature babies, Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) has been investigated as part of a specific three-strain probiotic blend. The other two strains being Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12^® and Streptococcus thermophilus, TH-4^®.

The studies suggest that Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) may help address digestive system issues that can occur in babies born prematurely. Specifically, the Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) probiotic strains may help reduce the risk of a baby’s digestive system having development issues by up to 50%.^2,3

Read more about the Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) strain in preterm babies.

The formation of a baby’s gut microbiome may be helped by a Bifidobacterium infantis strain

Human breast milk contains sugar molecules called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).⁴ These sugar molecules are important for digestive health because bifidobacteria (beneficial bacteria) use them to grow and increase in number in the gut. To be able to use the molecules, the gut bacteria must first break them down into useable parts. Unfortunately, the majority of bacteria in a baby’s gut are not able to use the molecules because they lack the enzymes needed to break them down. However, Bifidobacterium infantis bacterial strains do have these necessary enzymes. This suggests that a combination of HMOs and a Bifidobacterium infantis strain may help increase the beneficial bifidobacteria in the baby’s gut microbiome, which may have a long term, beneficial effect on the baby’s health.^5,6 The Bifidobacterium infantis (DSM 33361) probiotic strain in combination with other strains that are well-documented in babies, such as Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12^® or Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG^®, may be useful for supporting the healthy development of babies.
Read more about the importance of bifidobacteria for the development of a healthy gut microbiome.

BB-12^®, LGG^® and TH-4^® are registered trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S  

The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.

Reference list

1. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA journal 2012; 10(12):3020

2. Jacobs SE, et al. Probiotic effects on late-onset sepsis in very preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2013;132(6):1055-62. (PubMed)

3. Bin-Nun A, et al. Oral probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight neonates. J Pediatr. 2005;147(2):192-6. (PubMed)

4. Kunz C, et al. Oligosaccharides in human milk: structural, functional, and metabolic aspects. Annu Rev Nutr. 2000;20:699–722. (PubMed)

5. LoCascio, R.G.; Desai, P.; Sela, D.A.; Weimer, B.; Mills, D.A. Broad conservation of milk utilization genes in Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis as revealed by comparative genomic hybridization. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2010, 76, 7373–7381

6. Walker WA. The importance of appropriate initial bacterial colonization of the intestine in newborn, child, and adult health. Pediatr Res. 2017;82(3):387-95. (PubMed)