A new study by Abbott shows that when children consume a unique blend of prebiotics, they can have fewer sick days, improved early language development and higher scores on socialization.

Emerging science is shedding light on the role of special prebiotics like human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in supporting children’s gut health and brain development, offering new ways to help them thrive.

Did you know a child’s gut and brain are constantly talking to each other? This communication happens through what scientists call the “gut-brain axis” — a network that links the gastrointestinal tract to brain function. When the gut is healthy and balanced, it can send positive signals to the brain. It’s like a two-way street where signals travel back and forth, helping shape everything from mood and behavior to memory and learning. That’s why supporting gut health early on is so important — it helps lay the foundation for a child’s overall growth and cognitive development. One way to support this connection is through prebiotics. 

HMOs are a unique type of prebiotic that serve as food or a nutrient source for the beneficial bacteria in the gut. These complex carbohydrates help good bacteria thrive, strengthen the gut barrier, and prevent harmful pathogens from entering the bloodstream. All these things contribute to better gut health which translates to better cognitive development. Scientific innovations have now made it possible to include multiple types of HMOs in pediatric nutritional products to better reflect the diversity found in nature, supporting not just gut health but also immune and cognitive development. 

A recent clinical study evaluated one of Abbott’s milk formulas containing a unique blend of five HMOs. The randomized controlled trial  compared outcomes in children who consumed the HMO-containing product versus those who consumed a similar product without HMOs. The results were compelling. Over the course of the study, children who consumed the nutritional product with five HMOs experienced 40 percent fewer healthcare visits and 3.4 fewer sick days. Additionally, they showed signs of improved early language development — 38% more children fed Abbott’s nutritional product with five HMOs imitated words when starting to talk and understood on-average 24 percent more everyday phrases, compared to children fed the product without HMOs.