Dr. Hania Szajewska provides an insightful preview of her upcoming webinar on the impact of HMOs on infant health

• DSM is pleased to launch a webinar discussing how HMOs impact infant health with world-renowned scientist and physician – Prof. Hania Szajewska on Wednesday, 18 November 2020. There will be two live broadcasts to meet all time zones.
  
• Professor Hania Szajewska, MD explains why HMOs are the “missing link” between infant formula and breastmilk and describes key benefits they provide. 

A webinar you don’t want to miss 

On Wednesday, 18 November 2020 (9:00 AM AND 16:00 PM CET) DSM will welcome Prof. Hania Szajewska, a world-renowned expert in pediatric gastroenterology to present a webinar on Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and their impact on infant health. The webinar will provide an update on the most recent science surrounding the role of HMOs in breast milk. Prof. Szajewska will also describe how an HMO structure affects their function, including their immune supportive effects, how HMO benefits can be applied to formula-fed infants, and what she considers the most promising areas for future HMO research. Read below for a preview of what you can expect when you join the webinar. 

HMOs 101: What to know before you watch

Breastmilk provides the best start in life for infants. It contains essential nutrients for an infant’s growth and development. Breastmilk also influences the development of the infants digestive and immune systems by providing the beneficial bacteria in our gut with the food needed to fuel their growth, and support a complex and finely balanced gut microbiota. 

HMOs are naturally occurring prebiotics that feed beneficial bacteria in the gut.¹ They are complex carbohydrates found in human breastmilk and the third largest component of breastmilk (excluding water). HMOs mostly escape digestion in the small intestine and arrive in the colon largely intact, where they serve as food for beneficial bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactobacillus.² Some of the positive health outcomes in breastfed infants may be due, in part, to HMOs. 

An interview with HMO expert, Prof. Hania Szajewska

Professor Hania Szajewska, MD is uniquely qualified to present this webinar. She is a world-renowned expert in pediatric gastroenterology with a research focus on probiotics, prebiotics, and how early dietary interventions effect long-term health. Prof. Szajewska is the Chair of  the Department of Paediatrics of The Medical University of Warsaw and a board member of International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. Prof. Szajewska has over 300 publications and 25 book chapters. Until 2019, she served as the Editor-in-Chief (Europe) of the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. Previously, Prof. Szajewska served as a member of the Council and then as the General Secretary of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). 

Our recent interview with Prof. Szajewska lays the groundwork for what you’ll learn more about during her webinar.  

1. HMOs have been described as a “missing link” between infant formula and breastmilk. What makes HMOs so special?
   HMOs provide unique benefits to the growing infant that were previously only available to breastfed infants. Milk oligosaccharides found in cow’s milk – the main ingredient in most infant formulas – lack the structure and complexity of HMOs.³ There are over 200 different HMOs identified in human milk. Variation in type and concentration change over the lactation period, by maternal genetics, geographic region, and ethnicity. HMOs appear to provide both direct and indirect effects that influence positive health outcomes.
2. What body systems do HMOs influence?
   The gastrointestinal system – or gut – is the first and most obvious system affected by HMOs.  Here, they serve as a prebiotic food for beneficial bacteria. Healthy gut development is of great importance during infancy. It helps promote growth and development through digestion while facilitating nutrient and fluid absorption. The gut is also intricately linked to immune function.⁴
   
   HMOs also play an important role in immune system development by helping support gut barrier function.^{5, 6} They also can have a direct effect on immune cells.^7-9 Recent research also shows HMOs may affect brain development and function.^{10, 11} 
3. Does the type of HMO make a difference in terms of the benefit it offers?
   The structure of the HMO appears to affect its function. Emerging evidence is giving us a greater understanding of how they work and their potential role in infant health. Some HMOs, like DFL, appear to primarily effect gut and immune health.^{12, 13} While others show promise in the areas of brain development and functioning, like 3’SL and 6’SL.¹⁴ A variety of HMOs may be required to achieve the greatest health benefits. 
4. According to the research to date, how might adding HMOs to infant formulas impact an infant's health or development outcomes? 
   Studies assessing health outcomes in infants given formula supplemented with HMOs continue to grow. Both preclinical and clinical trials have found that HMOs help create a balanced gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.¹⁵ In a study in infants who received infant formula with HMOs, parents reported less colic for infants born via Cesarean section, less bronchitis, and fewer respiratory tract infections.* Additionally, parents reported reduced medication usage including antibiotics in the first year of life and medications to treat fevers.*^{15, 16} Research with HMOs in infant formula is limited, but I anticipate this field of study to grow quickly. 

*compared to infants who received infant formula without HMOs

Learn more about HMOs by joining DSM’s webinar on Wednesday, 18 November 2020 at either 9:00 am or 16:00 pm CET. On-demand viewing will be available after the live event.