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Development of five metabolic activities associated with the intestinal microflora of healthy infants
A C Midtvedt1, B Carlstedt-Duke, K E Norin
1Department of Medical Microbial Ecology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
The infant gut microbiome develops slowly, with short-chain fatty acid production establishing first. Diet influences this development, with breast milk potentially slowing the establishment of gut functions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The intestinal flora plays a crucial role in infant health.
- Understanding the timeline of its functional development is essential for assessing infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment of key intestinal flora functions in healthy Swedish infants from birth to six months.
- To identify the sequence and timing of these functional developments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal samples from 17 infants using gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, and gel electrophoresis.
- Assessment of five specific flora-related functions: SCFA production, mucin degradation, bilirubin and cholesterol conversion, and fecal tryptic activity (FTA).
Main Results:
- Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was the earliest established function, followed by bilirubin conversion and mucin degradation.
- Cholesterol conversion was not observed in any infant.
- Fecal tryptic activity (FTA) values were lower than in adults.
- Development was slower in exclusively breastfed infants compared to those receiving formula.
Conclusions:
- The establishment of a functionally active intestinal flora is a gradual process in infants.
- Specific gut functions develop at different rates, with some initiating before others.
- Dietary factors, particularly breast milk versus formula, significantly influence the pace of gut flora maturation.
Abstract:
The establishment of a functionally active intestinal flora was followed in 17 healthy Swedish children from birth up to 6 months of age. Utilizing gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, and gel electrophoresis, feces were analyzed on certain biochemical markers that reflect the action of the intestinal flora in vivo. The establishment of the following five flora-related functions was investigated: production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), degradation of mucin, conversion of bilirubin to urobilinogen and of cholesterol to coprostanol, and inactivation of fecal tryptic activity (FTA). Production of SCFAs was the first function to be established, followed by bilirubin conversion and mucin degradation. No child showed conversion of cholesterol. The values of FTA were lower than in adults. This study indicates that the establishment of a functionally active flora is a slow process and that some functions are almost fully established before other functions have started to develop. Environmental factors, such as the diet, seem to be of importance. In general, the functions seem to develop slower in those children receiving breast milk exclusively than in those receiving formula supplements.