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Development of intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in breast-fed neonates

Jinjin Chen1, Wei Cai, Yi Feng

  • 1Clinical Nutrition Center, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200092, China. jjvoo1974@hotmail.com

Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|May 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean delivery may disrupt the development of bifidobacteria in neonates compared to vaginal delivery. Lactobacilli levels showed no significant difference between delivery groups in the first week.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Gut Microbiome

Background:

  • Neonatal intestinal colonization is influenced by various factors.
  • Early gut microbiota development is crucial for infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in breast-fed neonates.
  • To investigate the impact of delivery mode on these bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR assay used on fecal samples from 40 neonates.
  • Comparison between vaginally delivered (VD) and cesarean delivered (CD) infants.
  • Mothers in CD group received prophylactic antibiotics.

Main Results:

  • Bifidobacteria levels were significantly higher in the VD group than the CD group (p<0.05).
  • Lactobacilli levels showed no significant difference between VD and CD groups in the first week (p>0.05).
  • Significant interindividual variations in bacterial development were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Cesarean delivery may lead to more significant disturbance of primary intestinal bifidobacteria compared to lactobacilli.
  • Mode of delivery is a key factor in early gut microbiota composition.
Abstract

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