Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic saw changes in newborn babies that may have protected them against allergies, according to a study.
Infants raised when coronavirus social distancing restrictions were in place were found by Irish researchers to have more of the beneficial microbes acquired after birth from their mother, which could act as a defence against disease.
The scientists believe this led “pandemic babies” to have lower than expected rates of allergic conditions, such as to food, compared to pre-COVID babies.
The findings, published in the journal Allergy, highlighted the gut health benefits for the youngsters as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, including lower rates of infection and consequent antibiotic use, and increased duration of breastfeeding.
The ecosystem of naturally-occurring bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, plays an essential role in human health.
The researchers analysed faecal samples from 351 babies born in the first three months of the pandemic, comparing these with a pre-pandemic group.
Online questionnaires were used to collect information on diet, home environment and health.
Stool samples were collected at six, 12 and 24 months and allergy testing was performed at 12 and 24 months.
The study highlighted significant differences in the microbiome development of babies born during lockdown periods when compared to pre-pandemic babies.
It revealed only about 5% of the lockdown babies had developed a food allergy at age one, compared to 22.8% in the pre-COVID group.
Fewer infections through not being exposed to germs also reduced the need for antibiotics, which kill good bacteria.
Of the lockdown babies only 17% needed an antibiotic by the age of one.
In the pre-pandemic group, 80% of infants had taken antibiotics by 12 months.
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