Gut microbiota and nutritional solutions supporting early immunity were a key topic at the 2026 National Scientific Conference. Organized by Danone Group in collaboration with the Pediatric Association in TP HCM, the conference gathered national and international experts to update new scientific evidence on infant healthcare during early life.

At the conference, associate professor Amber Chiou, deputy director of the Future Food Institute at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, highlighted recent studies that confirm the gut microbiota's role in forming and regulating immunity. She noted that 70% to 80% of the body's immune cells concentrate in the digestive tract, where continuous interaction occurs between the immune system and beneficial microorganisms.

Associate professor Amber Chiou speaks at the conference. Photo: Danone

Beyond immunity, the gut microbiota also participates in the "gut-brain axis", a two-way communication mechanism between the digestive tract and the brain. Establishing a balanced microbiota in early childhood is crucial for a child's comprehensive development.

Experts dedicated significant time to analyzing the differences in microbiota between C-section and vaginally born infants. According to associate professor Amber Chiou, C-section babies, not passing through the mother's natural birth canal, tend to lack pioneer beneficial bacteria, especially the Bifidobacteria group, which slows down the microbiota's development.

"Along with previous research, we observe that C-section babies have a different gut microbiota structure compared to vaginally born infants. Specifically, this group tends to have lower levels of Bifidobacteria," she stated.

According to the Ministry of Health's 2022 summary report on maternal and child healthcare, the C-section rate in Vietnam currently accounts for about 37% of total births. This reality prompts scientists to continue researching nutritional solutions to support microbiota establishment and boost immunity for these infants.

In this context, specialized synbiotics are considered a promising approach by experts. Specialized synbiotics combine prebiotics, a fiber source that nourishes beneficial bacteria at a 9:1 ratio, and probiotics, which are live beneficial bacteria. This combination aims to both supplement beneficial bacteria and create conditions for them to thrive in the gut.

According to the Julius (2017) and Dragon (2025) studies presented at the conference, early intervention with specialized synbiotics can help establish the microbiota in C-section babies, making it more similar to that of vaginally born infants from the first weeks after birth. Research data also noted the recovery of the Bacteroides group, sustained for up to 12 months.

International and Vietnamese medical experts presented the latest research and discussed specialized synbiotic solutions at the conference. Photo: Danone

Associate professor Amber Chiou commented, "Nutritional formulas containing specialized synbiotics help support more favorable gut microbiota establishment, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and regulating immune responses. As a result, the gut microbiota of C-section babies tends to develop closer to that of vaginally born infants, contributing to a foundation for a healthy immune system."

From a clinical perspective, experts also believe that new evidence reinforces the trend of early child healthcare through building a healthy gut microbiota, rather than only intervening when a child falls ill. The first 1,000 days of life are considered a critical "window of opportunity" to establish an immune foundation and support long-term development.

These research findings are now applied in several nutritional solutions for infants. According to Danone, this specialized synbiotic formula is used in Aptamil's key products to provide nutritional support for gut microbiota, digestive health, and the immune foundation during early life.

Yen Chi