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Intestinal microbial profiles in extremely preterm infants with and without necrotizing enterocolitis
Erik Normann1, Annika Fahlén, Lars Engstrand
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 23, 2012
Summary
This study investigated the gut microbiota in premature infants and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). While no significant differences were found, early trends in bacterial abundance warrant further research into NEC development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe complication in premature infants.
- The role of intestinal microbiota in NEC pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the development of NEC in extremely preterm infants.
- To compare the bacterial composition of faecal samples between NEC patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-centre case-control study.
- Barcoded pyrosequencing used to analyze faecal microbiota composition.
- Ten extremely preterm infants with NEC were matched to healthy controls.
Main Results:
- The dominant bacterial groups were Enterococcus, Bacillales, and Enterobacteriaceae.
- A trend towards higher relative abundance of Bacillales and Enterobacteriaceae was observed in early NEC samples, while controls showed more Enterococcus.
- Intestinal microbial diversity was low and did not differ significantly between NEC patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- No significant differences in intestinal microbiota composition were detected between NEC patients and controls.
- Preliminary findings suggest potential microbial patterns that require further investigation.
