Gut and Lung Microbiota in Preterm Infants: Immunological Modulation and Implication in Neonatal Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Aberrant gastrointestinal colonization is linked to adverse outcomes in preterm infants, including sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and growth impairment.
• Intestinal dysbiosis in this vulnerable population is a growing area of research.
• Emerging evidence highlights the gut-lung axis and gut-brain crosstalk, influencing neonatal immunity and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies on gut and lung microbiota in preterm infants.
• To analyze data on microbial patterns and their association with growth impairment, NEC, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and sepsis.
• To explore the role of microbiota in neonatal health and disease prevention.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies examining gut and lung microbiota in preterm infants.
• Qualitative analysis of data correlating microbial patterns with specific neonatal morbidities.
• Synthesis of existing research on the gut-lung axis and its implications.

Main Results:

• Microbiota play a critical role in establishing gut barrier integrity and immune modulation.
• The gut-lung axis development is interconnected, potentially leading to inflammatory responses implicated in BPD pathogenesis.
• Gut dysbiosis and a predominance of facultative anaerobes are associated with the development of these neonatal diseases.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota composition significantly impacts neonatal outcomes, particularly in preterm infants.
• Dysbiosis and specific microbial patterns are key factors in the pathogenesis of NEC, BPD, and sepsis.
• Targeting the gut microbiome may offer strategies for preventing these serious neonatal conditions.