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Validation of the In-utero Transmission of Probiotics

Validation of the In-utero Transmission of Probiotics From the Mother to the Baby: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04050189
Acronym
PROBIO
Enrollment
52
Registered
2019-08-08
Start date
2022-04-27
Completion date
2023-11-28
Last updated
2023-12-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

In Utero Drug Exposure

Keywords

probiotic, in-utero transmission, pilot study

Brief summary

This pilot project aims at confirming the in-utero transmission of probiotics, from the mother to the baby. Women aged 18 to 42 years, with a single pregnancy, considered low risk will be approached for this study. Women will take the investigational products between 34 weeks of pregnancy up to 10 days post-partum. Investigational products are probiotics (5 bacterial strains) compared to placebo.

Detailed description

Rational: Studies have shown that probiotics given to babies can reduce perinatal complications. A change of practice should therefore be introduced in the management of premature newborns. However, one could assume that probiotic administration before birth could be as effective if not more. Indeed, one could hypothesise that when the newborn is exposed to probiotics earlier, the protective effect is potentially increased. Objective: This pilot project aims at confirming the in-utero transmission of probiotics, from the mother to the baby. Population: Women aged 18 to 42 years, with a single pregnancy, considered low risk will be approached for this study Products under study: Probiotics containing 5 bacterial strains (total of 12 million colony-forming unit / day) vs. Placebo. Procedure: At 32-33 weeks, participants will complete questionnaires (medical, obstetrical, socio-demographic data) and will be randomized (double-blind) in one of the 2 following groups: Group A: taking probiotics every day from the 34th week of pregnancy until delivery; taking placebo for 10 days after delivery. Group B: taking placebo every day from the 34th week of pregnancy until delivery; taking probiotics for 10 days after delivery. Follow-up: All women will complete a logbook to monitor the study products intake and monitor side effects until the end of the study (10 days postpartum). Samples: maternal stool samples, vaginal secretions, stool (and meconium) as well as breast milk (and colostrum) will be taken at different times of the study to confirm the presence of probiotics and transmission between the mother and the baby.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALNatural products: Probiotics

Probiotics intake every day (1.5 gram) from 34 weeks of gestation to delivery OR from delivery to 10 days postpartum

OTHERPlacebo

Placebo intake every day (1.5 gram) from 34 weeks of gestation to delivery OR from delivery to 10 days postpartum

Sponsors

Lallemand Health Solutions
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

double-blinded

Intervention model description

2-arms randomized crossover pilot study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 42 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Women with a single pregnancy * Women with a low risk pregnancy * Women wishing to breastfeed at birth * Women randomized between 32 0/7 - 33 6/7 weeks of gestation

Exclusion criteria

* History of obstetric complications (prematurity \<37 weeks, preeclampsia , gestational diabetes treated with insulin) * Obstetric or fetal complications known for current pregnancy such as threaten preterm labor (premature rupture of membranes or preterm labor), chorioamnionitis, placenta previa, active vaginal bleeding, cervical cerclage, fetal distress or anomalies, corticosteroid therapy * Risk factors for obstetric complications during current pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, type I / II diabetes and high blood pressure (systole ≥140 and diastole ≥90) * Antibiotic use within 2 weeks before randomisation * Intake of probiotics or foods enriched with active cultures (fermented milk, kefir, kombucha ...) within 2 weeks before randomisation * Women positive for Group B Streptococcus during previous pregnancies * Weakened immune system (AIDS, lymphoma, chemoradiotherapy or corticotherapy, immunosuppressive pathology) * Allergy or intolerance to lactose, soy or yeast. * Women under Coumadin * Women who plan to give birth outside the participating center * Women who do not plan to breastfeed or extract their milk in the first 10 days after delivery.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
in-utero transmission of probioticat birthpresence (yes or no) of probiotic (specific bacterial strains) in neonate meconium

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
transmission of probiotic to colostrumat birthpresence(yes or no) of probiotic (specific bacterial strains) in colostrum
transmission of probiotic to maternal milk10 days postpartumpresence (yes or no) of probiotic (specific bacterial strains) in breastmilk
transmission of probiotic to maternal vaginal tract37 weeks of gestationpresence (yes or no) of probiotic (specific bacterial strains) in maternal vaginal swab
transmission of probiotic to maternal gut37 weeks of gestationpresence (yes or no) of probiotic (specific bacterial strains) in maternal stools
postnatal transmission of probiotic to the neonate10 days postpartumpresence (yes or no) of probiotic (specific bacterial strains) in neonate stools

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026