Babies born during pandemic lockdowns had improved gut health and lower rates of allergies, according to Irish research. Public health restrictions during the pandemic positively impacted the gut microbiome of newborns, leading to fewer infections and reduced allergic conditions. The newborns showed higher levels of beneficial microbes, acquired from their mothers, which may protect against allergies. The study, published in the journal Allergy, involved analyzing fecal samples from babies born during the pandemic and comparing them with pre-pandemic cohorts. The research, conducted in collaboration with several institutions, aims to continue investigating the long-term impacts of these changes in gut microbiome development.
Source link
Lockdown was beneficial for gut health of newborns, Irish research shows
