The Covid-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on human history, marking a moment of uncertainty and radical change around the world. However, among the unexpected consequences of this unprecedented period, scientists have discovered a surprising phenomenon involving children born during that time, known as ‘pandemic babies’. In the study, titled “Association between gut microbiota development and allergy in babies born during pandemic-related social distancing restrictions,” a group of Irish researchers revealed a number of fascinating findings about the gut health of babies born . during the first three months of the pandemic compared to those born before it. According to the study, published in ‘Allergy’, the official journal of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), these differences could provide unique protection against the development of allergies in babies born during confinement. Differences in the gut microbiome The study, which analyzed stool samples from 351 babies born during the initial period of the pandemic, found that these babies had a greater presence of beneficial microbes in their intestines compared to those born before the pandemic. This disparity in gut microbiome composition could have significant implications for the long-term health of these children. In particular, the researchers noted that only about 5% of pandemic babies had developed food allergies by one year of age, compared to 22.8% in the group born before the pandemic. This difference is attributed to a number of factors, including lower rates of infection and disease, leading to less antibiotic use and longer duration of breastfeeding. Related News standard No Flu and covid epidemic: 10 essential tips from nurses to avoid contagion ABC Health The peak of infections is expected to arrive after the Three Wise Men festival Professor Jonathan Hourihane, co-principal investigator of the study and consultant pediatrician at ‘Children’s Health Ireland Temple Street’ said: ‘This study offers new insight into the impact of social isolation early in life on the gut microbiome. “In particular, the lower rates of allergy among newborns during lockdown could highlight the impact of lifestyle and environmental factors, such as frequent use of antibiotics, on the increase in allergic diseases.” However, the researchers plan to continue monitoring these children over the years to better understand the long-term effects of these changes on the early gut microbiome. “We hope to re-examine these children when they are five years old to see if there are long-term impacts of these interesting changes in the early gut microbiome,” Hourihane concluded.