Influencing long term health outcomes: the role of intestinal microflora on the developing immune system – ACRRM

On completion of this learning module, GPs will be better able to:

1. Describe the importance of early life nutrition and the impact it can have on long term health
2. Describe the literature to date that supports the importance of the intestinal microflora, in particular the early life microbial signatures, on infant development including physiologic and immunological measures
3. Counsel expectant mothers to initiate and continue breast feeding according to guideline recommendations to promote long-term well-being and safety.
4. Counsel mothers who are unable or choose not to breast feed, on the options available when selecting an infant formula, including the current evidence relating to formulas with prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics and their effects on intestinal microbiota; and recognise that prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics are generally considered as safe.