Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 26, 2026

A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
09:18

A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis

Published on: July 28, 2023

3.5K

Longitudinal changes in the gut microbiome of infants on total parenteral nutrition

Allison F Dahlgren1, Amy Pan1,2, Vy Lam1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Pediatric Research
|April 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) significantly reduces gut microbiome diversity in infants. This TPN-associated dysbiosis may increase risks for adverse outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Animal studies indicate Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) may disrupt intestinal bacterial colonization and lead to complications.
  • The progressive changes in the gut microbiome of infants receiving TPN are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of TPN on the developing gut microbiome in infants.
  • To analyze changes in gut microbial composition and diversity in infants receiving TPN compared to controls.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, longitudinal study enrolled infants with and without TPN/soy lipid.
  • Weekly fecal samples were collected for the first four weeks of life.
  • High-throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rDNA was utilized for gut microbiome compositional analysis.

Main Results:

  • Infants receiving TPN showed significantly lower fecal bacterial alpha diversity at week 4 compared to controls (Shannon index 1.0 vs 1.5, P=0.03).
  • The TPN group exhibited lower abundance of Bacteroidetes and higher abundance of Verrucomicrobia compared to controls (P<0.05), with differences increasing over time.
  • TPN was associated with a decreased abundance of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium genera throughout the study period.

Conclusions:

  • TPN is linked to a significant reduction in gut microbial biodiversity and altered colonization patterns in infants.
  • TPN-induced dysbiosis may increase the susceptibility of infants to adverse outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Abstract

More Related Videos

Application of Flow Vermimetry for Quantification and Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans Gut Microbiome08:38

Application of Flow Vermimetry for Quantification and Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans Gut Microbiome

Published on: March 31, 2023

1.1K
A Double Humanized BLT-mice Model Featuring a Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome and Human Immune System07:32

A Double Humanized BLT-mice Model Featuring a Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome and Human Immune System

Published on: August 30, 2019

9.2K

Related Concept Videos

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
47.2K
Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
13.2K
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
642
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route01:29

Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route

The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
1.6K
Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral01:25

Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral

The administration of drugs via parenteral routes allows for direct drug introduction into the systemic circulation, resulting in high bioavailability because the medication bypasses the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic metabolism.
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
2.8K
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
859