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Updated: Dec 5, 2025

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

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Malnutrition, poor post-natal growth, intestinal dysbiosis and the developing lung

Mark A Underwood1, Satyan Lakshminrusimha2, Robin H Steinhorn3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA. munderwood@ucdavis.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|October 15, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Extremely preterm infants often experience poor growth, gut bacteria imbalance (intestinal dysbiosis), and lung issues (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). This review explores if these conditions are interconnected, potentially impacting long-term infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Extremely preterm infants face significant health challenges, including poor post-natal growth, intestinal dysbiosis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  • These conditions are independently linked to severe long-term complications in survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interrelationship between poor post-natal growth, intestinal dysbiosis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm infants.
  • To address challenges in studying this hypothesis, such as differentiating malnutrition from poor growth and defining a normal neonatal gut microbiota.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing literature and research findings.
  • It critically examines the evidence supporting the interconnectedness of the three conditions.

Main Results:

  • The review hypothesizes that poor post-natal growth, intestinal dysbiosis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are interrelated in extremely preterm infants.
  • Challenges exist in defining normal growth and microbiota in this population.

Conclusions:

  • If the hypothesis is supported, further research is warranted.
  • Investigating interventions to correct intestinal dysbiosis may reduce growth restriction and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm infants.

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