116th ANRC PROCEEDINGS: Presentation Summaries & Conference Overview

Abstract:

Presentation summaries of the 116th Abbott Nutrition Research Conference.

New research continues to stress the importance of gut bacteria across the lifespan. The first 1,000 days of life—conception to two years—is a critical time in human development, in part because of the lasting effects of these tens of trillions of symbiotic and sometimes pathogenic microorganisms. Recognizing the emerging science and vital implications for maternal and infant health, Abbott Nutrition convened an expert interdisciplinary group of scientists from nutrition, molecular genetics, neonatology, and neurology to present their scientific contributions.

Topics included the maternal microbiome’s possible influences on an infant’s immune response, metabolism, neurodevelopment, birth weight, and gestation time. Researchers also discussed the biochemistry of human milk, benefits of human milk in infant development, and the role of the microbiome in nutritional status.