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Oral colostrum priming shortens hospitalization without changing the immunomicrobial milieu

J Romano-Keeler1, M A Azcarate-Peril2, J-H Weitkamp1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|September 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Oral colostrum priming (OCP) in preterm infants did not significantly alter salivary peptides or oral microbiota. However, OCP did reduce hospitalization length, warranting further investigation into this beneficial effect.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal immunology
  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric gastroenterology

Background:

  • Oral colostrum priming (OCP) in preterm infants may improve outcomes and alter the oral environment.
  • Previous studies suggest OCP influences weight gain and oral immunomicrobial factors.
  • The specific effects of OCP on salivary immune peptides and oral microbiota in preterm infants remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of OCP on salivary immune peptide profiles in preterm infants.
  • To analyze the effects of OCP on the oral microbiota composition and diversity in preterm neonates.
  • To determine if OCP influences hospitalization duration in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted involving preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation).
  • Saliva samples were collected pre- and post-OCP for mass spectroscopy (immune peptides) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing (microbiota).
  • Hospitalization length was compared between infants who received OCP and a control group.

Main Results:

  • Infants receiving OCP had a median 16-day reduction in hospitalization length compared to controls.
  • No significant differences in salivary immune peptide profiles were observed between groups, except for a minor change in alpha-defensin 1 post-OCP.
  • Oral microbial diversity did not differ between groups, though it decreased over time in both; a slight decline in Streptococci was noted in the OCP group.

Conclusions:

  • OCP did not demonstrate a significant effect on the salivary peptides or overall oral bacterial diversity and composition in preterm infants.
  • OCP was associated with a reduced length of hospitalization, a finding that merits further research.
  • The immunomodulatory and clinical benefits of OCP in preterm infants require additional investigation.
Abstract

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