Prof John Tagg swabs from mother-to-be Anna Wescombe as
part of a study on the transferral of beneficial bacteria
between mothers and babies. Photo by Gerard O'Brien
Encouraging mum to spit on her baby may not sound like
good science, but that is the basis of a world-first University
of Otago study.
Microbiologist Prof John Tagg's study aims to determine if
newborns can receive, and establish, good bacteria that has
been introduced to their mother's mouths.
Pregnant women will suck a probiotic lozenge each day of the
last month of their pregnancy to colonise their mouths with
the bacteria associated with preventing sore throats and ear
infections.
"There has been no study like this before."
Women would be checked to see if they naturally carried
streptococcus salivarius K12, which occurs in 5% of the
population.
Why some people had K12 was a mystery; it was random, but
there were indications it ran in families.
"What we want is to take the randomness out of it."
If Prof Tagg's hunch is right, his method will establish the
good bacteria, potentially with lifelong benefits.
"When she kisses baby, it should give the kiss of protection
to her baby."
The study is based on the same principle as Blis K12 Throat
Guard, which Prof Tagg developed.
Only two participants so far were signed up for the newborn
trial, but Prof Tagg hoped about 50 women would take part
over the next year.
Sterile when they were born, babies inherited bacteria from
their main carer, usually their mother.
The person who got the most "spits in" passed on their
bacteria to the baby.
Babies would be checked for K12 at one week, and then at six
weeks, to see if the bacteria remained.
Prof Tagg said one of his jobs was educating people that not
all bacteria were bad.
In fact, most were good and essential for the body's
processes.
Prof Tagg suggested a fringe benefit for expectant mothers
might be K12's ability to combat bad breath.
One of the features of late-stage pregnancy included bad
breath because of hormonal changes, he said.
Dunedin mother-of-three Anna Wescombe, who is six and a-half
months pregnant, was pleased to be taking part in the study.
Hopefully, her baby would benefit from the "good bacteria",
Mrs Wescombe said.
eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz
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