Impact of Bifidobacterium longum Subspecies infantis on Pediatric Gut Health and Nutrition: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Abstract

Background: the intestinal microbiota, a complex community vital to human health, is shaped by microbial competition and host-driven selective pressures. Among these microbes, Bifidobacterium plays a crucial role in early gut colonization during neonatal stages, where Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis) predominates and is particularly prevalent in healthy breastfed infants. Objectives: as we embark on a new era in nutrition of the pediatric population, this study seeks to examine the existing understanding regarding B. infantis, encompassing both preclinical insights and clinical evidence. Methods: through a narrative disceptation of the current literature, we focus on its genetic capacity to break down various substances that support its survival and dominance in the intestine. Results: using “omics” technologies, researchers have identified beneficial mechanisms of B. infantis, including the production of short-chain fatty acids, serine protease inhibitors, and polysaccharides. While B. infantis declines with age and in various diseases, it remains a widely used probiotic with documented benefits for infant and child health in numerous studies. Conclusions: the current scientific evidence underscores the importance for ongoing research and clinical trials for a deeper understanding of B. infantis’s role in promoting long-term health.