{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nBreast milk is the optimal infant nutrition, and its composition is influenced by maternal factors including supplement intake. This study aimed to investigate the effects of postpartum probiotic supplementation on breast milk composition and infant health outcomes.Methods\n\nThis double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 56 mother‑infant pairs. Using SPSS software-generated sequences, 56 pairs of healthy mothers and infants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a 30‑day probiotic supplement (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus) or an identical-appearing placebo. Neither the investigators, nursing staff, nor outcome assessors were aware of the group assignments. The primary outcome measures were changes in breast milk nutritional components (energy, protein, lipids) and antioxidant status (total antioxidant capacity-TAC, malondialdehyde-MDA). Infant growth parameters (length, weight, head circumference) served as key secondary outcome measures.Results\n\nAll 56 participants (28 per group) were included in the analysis. Compared to the placebo group, the probiotic group demonstrated significant increases in breast milk energy (P < 0.05), protein (P = 0.04), and lipid content (P < 0.05). Compared to the placebo group, the probiotic group had significantly higher TAC levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity, and lower MDA levels, indicating reduced oxidative stress. Infants in the probiotic group also had significantly greater weekly gains in length (P < 0.001), weight (P < 0.001), and head circumference (P < 0.05).Conclusion\n\nThis pilot study provides preliminary evidence that postpartum probiotic supplementation may be associated with beneficial changes in breast milk composition and antioxidant status.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Pediatric Department, Hengyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hengyang, 421000, China.",
    "Department of Radiology, Childrens Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China.",
    "Pediatric Department, Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, China.",
    "Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No. 99, Huaihai West Road, Quanshan District, Xuzhou, 221000, China. nalidrln@163.com."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ning Zhou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Yushuang Ding"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yuzhu Han"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Na Li"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3mg6vcv8v1aws.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1186/s12887-026-07357-6",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13729459",
  "id": "3mg6vcv8v1aws",
  "issns": [
    "1471-2431"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972537",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2916|Infant Nutrition and Health"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7172378520",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13729459?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13729459",
  "pmid": "42972537",
  "published": "2026-08-04",
  "publisher": "BMC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3mg6vcv8v1aws.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T15:20:45Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42972537",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972537"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-07T12:22:13Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13729459",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07357-6"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:F27",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Effect of postpartum probiotic supplementation on breastmilk composition and infant health: a pilot randomized controlled trial.",
  "title_text": "Effect of postpartum probiotic supplementation on breastmilk composition and infant health: a pilot randomized controlled trial.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T12:22:13Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3mg6vcv8v1aws",
  "venue": "BMC pediatrics",
  "versions": []
}