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Development of the intestinal bacterial composition in hospitalized preterm infants in comparison with breast-fed,

Andreas Schwiertz1, Bärbel Gruhl, Manuela Löbnitz

  • 1Deutsches Institut für Ernaehrungsforschung, Abteilung Gastrointestinale Mikrobiologie, Bergholz-Rehbrücke, Germany. andreas.schwiertz@mikrooek.de

Pediatric Research
|June 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Hospitalized preterm infants develop similar gut bacterial communities within weeks, unlike breast-fed full-term infants. This study tracked neonatal microbiota establishment using PCR-DGGE analysis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatalogy
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The neonatal gut microbiota is crucial for infant health.
  • Previous studies on preterm infant microbiota were limited by outdated methods.
  • Understanding early microbial community development in hospitalized preterm infants is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the establishment and succession of bacterial communities in hospitalized preterm infants.
  • To compare the neonatal microbiota of preterm infants with that of breast-fed, full-term infants.
  • To identify factors influencing neonatal microbiota development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in fecal samples using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE).
  • Monitoring of 29 hospitalized preterm infants over the first 4 weeks of life.
  • Comparison with fecal samples from 15 breast-fed, full-term infants and clinical bacterial isolates.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial community complexity increased over time in preterm infants.
  • Both intraindividual and interindividual bacterial similarity increased significantly in preterm infants.
  • Hospitalized preterm infants developed highly similar gut bacterial communities compared to breast-fed, full-term infants.
  • Common bacteria included Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  • Microbiota similarity was not significantly influenced by birth weight, diet, or antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Hospitalized preterm infants acquire a remarkably similar gut microbiota composition.
  • The development of a similar neonatal microbiota in preterm infants differs from that in full-term infants.
  • Early gut microbial succession in preterm infants is robust and shows convergence despite potential confounding factors.

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