Health benefits of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in infants and children: a mini-review

The colonization of the infant gut microbiome during the critical window of 0-3 years is influenced by a multitude of prenatal, environmental and host factors, and may be crucial for life-long health. The infant gut microbiome is highly dynamic, with bifidobacteria<i>-</i>dominance generally established during birth and lactation, followed by transition to a more stable and adult-like composition reached around 3 years of age. Bifidobacteria-dominance in infancy is considered protective as they not only display both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects but also foster the establishment of other beneficial species via cross-feeding interactions. As predominance of bifidobacteria is considered the marker of a healthy breastfed infant, the use of bifidobacteria-based probiotics for the prevention of gut dysbiosis and related conditions has been investigated. This clinically oriented summary highlights the unmet research needs of <i>Bifidobacterium animalis</i> subsp. <i>lactis</i>, BB-12^® (BB-12), a well-studied probiotic added to baby formulas, dietary supplements, and fermented milk products; several potentially beneficial attributes, including acid and bile tolerance, strong adherence properties, pathogen inhibition, and immune modulation are considered. Clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and beneficial effects of BB-12 in infants and children across multiple disorders and highlight the need for improved clinical and regulatory guidelines.