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Faecal short chain fatty acid pattern and allergy in early childhood

Anna Sandin1, Lennart Bråbäck, Elisabeth Norin

  • 1Department of Clinical Science, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. anna.sandin@jll.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|January 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A slow maturation of gut microflora, indicated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is linked to allergies in children. Lower levels of specific SCFAs at one year are associated with allergy symptoms and sensitization by age four.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune system development.
  • Alterations in gut flora composition and function have been implicated in the development of allergies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between functional changes in gut flora over time and the development of allergic sensitization and symptoms in children at four years of age.
  • To investigate the association between fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels and allergy development.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal samples were collected from 139 infants at one year and 53 at four years.
  • Levels of SCFAs, including acetic, propionic, i-butyric, i-valeric, and valeric acids, were measured.
  • Associations between SCFA levels, skin prick tests (SPT), and allergic symptoms were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Fecal acetic and propionic acids decreased, while valeric acid increased from one to four years.
  • Low levels of i-butyric, i-valeric, and valeric acids at one year were linked to food allergy symptoms at four years.
  • Positive SPTs and allergic symptoms at four years were associated with lower levels of i-butyric, i-valeric, and valeric acids.

Conclusions:

  • A delayed functional maturation of the gut microflora, reflected in SCFA levels, is associated with allergy development at one and four years of age.
  • These findings support a link between allergy and the development of microbial diversity in early life.
Abstract

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