2’-FL and 6’-SL “go beyond immunity”: Abbott HMO study finds infant cognition and motor development benefits

24 Feb 2021 --- Research from infant formula producer Abbott has revealed human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may not only support babies’ immune health, but also their cognitive and motor skill development.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences found that one HMO, 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), improved motor development in breast-fed infants at six months.

Another HMO, 6’-Sialyllactose (6’-SL), was associated with improved motor development and cognition among breast-fed infants at 18 months. 

“New learnings about nutrients and neurodevelopment help us better understand how infant formula can play a role in their development,” study co-author Rachael Buck, R&D Abbott Nutrition, tells NutritionInsight.

Currently, Abbott’s infant formula brand Similac does not include the 6’-SL HMO. The company is exploring further pathways of innovating infant formula, which includes studying 6’-SL to evaluate its potential benefits to babies, Buck notes.

2’-FL concentration in human milk ranges from 0.004 to 6 g per L and 6’-SL varies from 0.011 to 1.57 g per L, according to the study.The study highlights there are several clinical trials determining immune outcomes on infants from HMOs, but cognitive outcomes have been “scarcely evaluated.”

Data suggests BMI does not affect HMOs
The researchers evaluated 2’-FL and 6’-SL levels in one-month human milk samples in a secondary analysis of an existing cohort from a previous clinical trial called PREOBE.

In the PREOBE study, overweight, obese and diabetic pregnant women and their infants were compared to healthy, normal weight mothers and their babies. 

Subsequently, 2’-FL and 6’-SL concentrations in human milk were compared with results from neurodevelopmental assessments of infants born to mothers from the PREOBE study at different ages. These included cognitive, motor, language and socio-emotional scales.

The present study found 2’-FL and 6’-SL levels were not influenced by preconceptional maternal body mass index (BMI) or the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Therefore, the researchers do not think GDM would have a major impact on HMO profiles of human milk. 

Differences between high and low 2’-FL levels
Although 2’-FL showed an overall positive association with motor skills, the association with motor scores was not significant when samples were separated into low and high 2’-FL levels. 

Similac is Abbott’s infant formula brand, developed with 2’-FL (Credit: Abbott).While all mothers in the PREOBE study had 2’-FL concentrations in their breast milk, some (57 percent) had higher levels and some (43 percent) lower. 

The researchers propose it is unlikely that intact 2’-FL goes to the brain directly but may act via the gut-brain axis (GBA) and through the vagus nerve. 

GBA is a complex bidirectional network that sends signals between these two organs controlling their function. 

The study suggests the microbiota may also have an important role in the interaction, but its researchers maintain “this remains unclear.” 

Further research and full-scale clinical studies are needed to elucidate the effects of HMOs in pediatric neurodevelopment. Moreover, more insight on the mechanisms of action involved and the influence of low and high 2’-FL populations could be useful.

“Abbott constantly researches our products to ensure mothers and caregivers are provided the products they need to support healthy babies,” Buck concludes. 

By Anni Schleicher