Catching up with supplements for kids: A round-up of the latest science

This is particularly evident in the growing research surrounding the gut microbiome composition needed to optimize development during the first 1,000 days of life by identifying the missing microbes in modern baby biomes. Beyond the tried-and-trues like calcium and vitamins C and D, the science is also investigating a broader range of bioactives to address digestive health, sleep, mood and behavior, weight management, eye health and allergies, and there is a marked and growing interest in products for cognitive function, focus and memory. Below a round-up of some of the latest science, exploring ingredients from protective biotic strains targeting conditions like child eczema, respiratory issues and obesity to lutein and zeaxanthin to combat digital strain and omega-3s to curb aggressive behavior. A study published in Pediatric Allergy & Immunology by Tiny Health showed that personalized probiotic protocols, guided by microbiome testing, can reduce the risk of eczema in infants by 83%, particularly those born via C-section. The study highlighted the importance of tailored probiotic supplementation based on individual microbiome profiles, leading to healthier gut development and a decrease in atopic conditions. “What makes this study unique is its personalized approach—the intervention targets each baby’s individual microbiome, unlike the few studies out there on specific probiotics or formulas,” said Cheryl Sew Hoy, CEO of Tiny Health. She noted that 41.6% of babies in Tiny Health’s database were taking incorrect probiotics for their microbiome profile, while 77.6% of parents changed their baby’s probiotics after testing. A study by Jehangir Clinical Development Centre Pvt. Ltd. followed 223 Indian children between the ages of 3 and 7, divided into two groups to assess the impact of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) plus dietary counseling versus counseling alone on growth. Over six months, the ONS group showed significant improvements in height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference percentiles compared to the counseling-only group, without promoting unhealthy weight gain. The study highlighted the benefits of ONS in achieving balanced growth and dietary adequacy, suggesting further research in diverse settings to confirm these findings. A study published in the journal Nutrients examined the impact of different infant formulas and breastfeeding on infant growth, analyzing data from 5,515 infants in a cohort study at the University of Iowa Health Care clinics. The results showed that infants fed non-standard formulas—those with altered protein or carbohydrate content—had higher weight-for-age and BMI scores at 12 and 24 months compared to those on standard formulas and breastfed infants. Notably, female infants and white, non-Hispanic infants on non-standard formulas showed significantly higher BMI z-scores. The study suggests that non-standard formulas may promote greater weight gain in the first year of life, raising questions about their metabolic effects and highlighting the need for clearer clinical guidance. A study analyzing data from the NHANES study suggests an inverse relationship between serum carotenoid levels, except lycopene and obesity in children and adolescents. While these findings indicate potential benefits of carotenoids in pediatric obesity, the study’s cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions. Commenting on the study in a press release, Dr. Ariati Aris, scientific affairs specialist at PhytoGaia, underscored the importance of improving dietary quality in early life. “Carotenoids can’t be produced by the body, we have to obtain them from our diet,” she said. “This finding suggests that higher carotenoid levels, particularly β-carotene, are associated with significantly lower rates of obesity in children. Beyond their well-known role in eye and skin health, carotenoids may also support healthier weight and metabolic balance.” She also cautioned against premature supplementation recommendations, emphasizing the need for further longitudinal studies to explore these associations. A study conducted across 18 European centers and funded by Nestlé found that a synbiotic formula enhances the abundance of beneficial Bifidobacteria in infants, reducing opportunistic pathogens and supporting growth comparable to breastfed infants. The formula, containing B. infantis and B. lactis , was safe, well-tolerated and showed potential in bridging the microbiome development gap between formula-fed and breastfed infants. “The synbiotic formula promoted the expansion of beneficial Bifidobacteria , especially infant-type species, in all infants, suggesting the formula could contribute toward minimizing the observed gaps in early microbiome development between formula-fed and breastfed infants,” the researchers wrote in Frontiers in Nutrition . The study highlights the importance of human milk oligosaccharides and beneficial bacteria in infant health, emphasizing the need to optimize formula for infants who cannot be breastfed. Further results of the study, which will track infants up to 15 months, are anticipated. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals a link between infant gut microbiota, specifically Bifidobacterium species and childhood blood pressure outcomes. Conducted on a Danish birth cohort, the research shows that Bifidobacterium presence in the first month, coupled with breastfeeding for at least six months, is associated with lower blood pressure at ages three and six. “Our study provides pioneering evidence linking infant gut microbiota with BP at three and six years of age, highlighting early life as a critical period for microbiota‐focused interventions aimed at preventing hypertension,” the researchers wrote. A study published in Communications Biology reveals that 92% of U.S. infants are missing the crucial gut bacterium Bifidobacterium infantis , with 25% lacking any Bifidobacterium at all. The My Baby Biome study, a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis, links the absence of these bacteria to increased risks of allergies, asthma and eczema, highlighting the impact of modern practices such as C-section births and antibiotic use. “In my over 50 years as a pediatric clinician and researcher, this is one of the most insightful studies I’ve worked on,” said Richard Insel, MD, Persephone’s chief medical advisor and research professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, in a press release. “The scale and diversity of this cross-sectional study are unparalleled. The results show that disruptions in babies’ gut microbiomes are strongly linked to childhood allergic diseases and point to potential methods to prevent allergic diseases and other chronic inflammatory childhood diseases.” Persephone Biosciences, which conducted the study, launched a proprietary synbiotic for infants to support gut and immune health. A study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found a significant association between higher vitamin C levels and a reduced risk of respiratory infections in children and adolescents. Conducted by researchers at Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, the study analyzed serum vitamin C levels and self-reported respiratory infections among 1,344 participants between the ages of 6 and 19. Results indicated that an increase in vitamin C levels by 10 units was linked to a 7% decrease in infection risk, with the highest vitamin C group showing a 50% lower risk compared to the lowest group. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in China evaluated the effects of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis YLGB-1496 on children’s health. Over three months, 100 children under three were given either the probiotic or a placebo. Results showed a significant reduction in upper respiratory tract infections and shortened durations of symptoms like cough, fever, dry stool, and eczema in the probiotic group. The trial also demonstrated beneficial changes in gut microbiota and immune markers without adverse effects, suggesting the probiotic’s potential to enhance respiratory, gut, and immune health. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that probiotic supplements containing specific strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus reduced the risk of overweight and obesity in children under the age of three by 12% and 18%, respectively. The research, involving over 31,000 children, highlighted the potential protective role of early probiotic use, particularly in girls, in regulating gut microbiota and influencing metabolism and energy balance, without identifying a specific sensitive period. The probiotic used in the study was a combination of supplements formulated with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis R0033, Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 and Lactobacillus helveticus R0052. “Supplementation at any time during this early life period appeared to be beneficial in reducing the likelihood of developing overweight or obesity,” wrote researchers from Sun Yat-sen University (China), Queensland University of Technology (Australia), Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Longhua District of Shenzhen (China), and Biostime (Guangzhou) Health Products Ltd. (China). “These findings suggest a possible protective role of early probiotic use, underscoring the need for further longitudinal and experimental studies to confirm its preventive potential.” A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 180 pregnant women in their third trimester examined the effects of Lallemand’s Prenatis probiotics, containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum . Women who took the probiotics experienced fewer bacterial and fungal infections, with the benefits extending to their newborns, who had fewer sick days and improved gut microbiome establishment, especially those delivered via C-section. “This research is innovative, and we worked closely with experts to deepen our understanding of vertical microbial transfer in the establishment of the infant’s microbiome,” aid Sylvie Binda, one of the paper’s lead authors and vice president of research and development at Lallemand Health Solutions. “We also gained new insights into pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester.” The study suggests that maternal probiotic supplementation can enhance immune health for both mothers and infants. A study published in Nutrition and Health explored the effects of a four-week intervention involving small-sided soccer games and kiwifruit consumption on the sleep patterns of 36 obese children between the ages of 8 and 12 with pre-existing sleep issues. “When children consistently experience insufficient sleep, disruptions in these hormonal pathways can lead to increased feelings of hunger, reduced satiety and changes in energy expenditure, ultimately increasing susceptibility to weight gain,” the team of Tunisia-based researchers wrote. “Therefore, prioritizing sufficient sleep for children not only supports their overall health and well-being but also serves as a preventive measure against the development of obesity by maintaining a balanced regulation of appetite and metabolism.” Participants were divided into three groups: a control group, a soccer-only group, and a soccer and kiwifruit group. Findings showed significant improvements in sleep efficiency, sleep latency and total sleep time for the soccer and kiwifruit group compared to the control group, with additional benefits observed in bedtime timing and time spent in bed. The study highlighted the potential synergistic effects of physical activity and dietary interventions on sleep quality, although it acknowledged limitations such as the short trial duration and lack of a kiwi-only group. Research on lutein’s important role in child development is heating up, highlighting growing understanding of the carotenoid’s contribution to improving visual acuity and cognitive health starting as early as in utero. Supplementation strategies so far have primarily targeted reducing the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with trials like the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) evaluating the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin in a population of 50- to 85-year-old subjects. But major players in the space are working to raise awareness of the importance of carotenoid consumption (in this case lutein and zeaxanthin, acquired only through dietary sources) for increasing macular pigment optical density as the eye develops across the first years of life. What has emerged is an evolving understanding of epidemiological factors, synergies and the boundaries that can be pushed to further research needed to optimize vision and brain development in children who are increasingly affected by consumption of nutrient-poor diets and digital blue light. In a digital era characterized by pervasive screen time and diminished outdoor activity, a daily dose of astaxanthin may serve as dietary strategy to support pediatric eye health, according to a study led by astaxanthin producer AstaReal. “The extent of digital screen exposure and prevalence of computer vision syndrome symptoms in children has raised questions about consequences for the onset and progression of myopia, effects on learning and cognitive development, sleep quality and mental health,” the researchers wrote in the journal Advances in Therapy. “Studies have shown that astaxanthin crossed the blood retinal barrier, modulated ocular markers of oxidation, supported accommodative function and reduced sensations of eye strain resulting from computer use in adults.” Building on that science, this study funded by AstaReal’s parent company Fuji Chemical Industries extended the research to evaluate effects of astaxanthin supplementation on both acute and chronic digital eye strain in school-aged children. A meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 4,000 participants over 28 years suggests that omega-3 supplementation may modestly reduce both reactive and proactive aggression in children and adults in the short term. With a mean dose of 1.18 grams over 16.4 weeks, the study found an effect size of 0.22, indicating a modest but significant impact across diverse populations. “Regarding clinical implications, based on these findings, our considered opinion is that there is now sufficient evidence to begin to implement omega-3 supplementation to reduce aggression in children and adults at a modest level—irrespective of whether the setting is the community, the clinic or the criminal justice system,” wrote Adrian Raine and Lia Brodrick from the University of Pennsylvania. “At the very least, we would argue that omega-3 supplementation should be considered as an adjunct to other interventions, whether they be psychological (e.g. CBT [cognitive behavioral therapy]) or pharmacological (e.g. risperidone) in nature, and that caregivers are informed of the potential benefit of omega-3 supplementation.” Researchers advocate for omega-3s to be considered alongside other interventions, emphasizing their potential neurobiological benefits and calling for further research into their long-term efficacy.

Catching up with supplements for kids: A round-up of the latest science

Most pediatric supplement research has historically focused on correcting nutrient deficiencies or promoting growth and immunity, but the discourse is increasingly shifting towards how optimizing nutrition during critical early-life windows can influence performance and long-term outcomes.

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