Project

TOBBI trial

In the TOBBI trial we study the toddler’s gut bacteria after antibiotics treatment and specifically the effect of synbiotics (a combination of fibres and probiotics) hereon.

The gut microbiota are a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, archaea, viruses and fungi that live in our gut. They are of great importance to human health, and the stability and composition of the gut microbiota plays a vital role in health and wellbeing throughout life from as early as birth, or even before that. Antibiotics are quite commonly prescribed in toddlers as they are used effectively to treat bacterial infections. However, they can also affect the growth and composition of the “good” bacteria that live in the gut, such as bifidobacteria.

Synbiotics are a combination of a live microbe and a prebiotic substance that could work to achieve one or more health benefits. They may increase the speed of recovery of the gut microbiota composition after a disruption caused by antibiotics.  

Aim and approach

The TOBBI trial (Toddlers receiving synbiotics after antibiotics) was designed to explore what the effects are of a Young Child Formula supplemented with a synbiotic on the speed of recovery of the toddler’s gut after treatment with antibiotics. The Young Child Formula is supplemented with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (scGOS), long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS) and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V.

This study will provide more insights into the effects of antibiotics followed by synbiotics on the toddler’s gut microbiota composition.

Milani, C., et al., The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut: Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev, 2017. 81(4).

Kosuwon, P., et al., A synbiotic mixture of scGOS/lcFOS and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V increases faecal Bifidobacterium in healthy young children. Benef Microbes, 2018. 9(4): p. 541-552.

Kengetallen, S.F. Bijna 60% kinderen minimaal één verstrekking per jaar. 2018  [cited 2021 02-02-2021].