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Factors influencing the presence of faecal lactobacilli in early infancy
Insights
Lactobacilli are key in infant gut flora, especially in full-term babies. Preterm infants show lower lactobacilli levels, linked to incubator care and antibiotics, suggesting modern neonatal practices may delay gut colonization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- The gut microbiome plays a critical role in infant health and development.
- Early life microbial colonization is influenced by various factors, including mode of delivery and feeding.
- Understanding normal fecal flora in infants is essential for identifying deviations and potential health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition of fecal flora in preterm and full-term infants at 10 and 30 days of age.
- To identify factors influencing early gut microbial colonization, specifically lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
- To assess the impact of neonatal care practices on the development of infant gut microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Faecal samples collected from 46 preterm and 52 full-term infants at 10 days, and 37 preterm and 46 full-term infants at 30 days.
- Viable counts of coliforms, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria were determined.
- Gas liquid chromatography was employed for the identification of anaerobic bacteria.
Main Results:
- Lactobacilli were abundant in full-term infants by 30 days, while bifidobacteria were less common.
- Mode of delivery significantly influenced early colonization, whereas feeding method did not.
- Preterm infants exhibited a deficiency in lactobacilli relative to coliforms.
- Antibiotic treatment and incubator care were associated with reduced lactobacilli colonization.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacilli are a significant component of normal infant stool flora.
- Modern neonatal intensive care practices, including incubator use and antibiotic administration, may impede or delay the establishment of lactobacilli colonization.
- Further research is warranted to explore strategies for optimizing infant gut microbiome development in clinical settings.
Abstract:
The faecal flora of 46 preterm infants and 52 born at full term was studied at 10 days of age; 46 born at full term and 37 preterm infants were also studied at 30 days. Viable counts of coliforms, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria were made; gas liquid chromatography was used to identify the anaerobes. Lactobacilli, but not bifidobacteria, were found in high counts in the stools of most of the infants born at full term by 30 days of age. The mode of delivery, but not the method of feeding, had a significant influence on early colonisation. A selective deficiency of lactobacilli compared with coliform organisms was found in preterm infants. Previous treatment with antibiotics and being nursed in an incubator were also significantly associated with a lower rate of early colonisation with lactobacilli. Our findings indicate that lactobacilli may be an important part of the normal stool flora in early infancy, and that modern methods of neonatal care are associated with delayed or deficient colonisation.