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Published on: January 27, 2019
Investigating colonization patterns of the infant gut microbiome during the introduction of solid food and weaning
Sara Dizzell1, Jennifer C Stearns2,3, Jenifer Li1,4
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Early infant diet significantly shapes the gut microbiome. This study tracks infant gut microbes during solid food introduction and breastfeeding cessation to inform evidence-based infant nutrition guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infant gut microbiome development is crucial for long-term health but not fully understood.
- Current infant feeding guidelines lack microbiome research, especially for preterm infants.
- Early microbial colonization influences adult microbiota composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of early life dietary events on infant gut microbiome structure and function.
- To investigate microbial changes during solid food introduction and breastfeeding cessation in term and preterm infants.
- To provide data for evidence-based infant nutrition guidance.
Main Methods:
- Prospective monitoring of 35 infants from term and preterm birth cohorts.
- Collection of stool samples and study diaries during dietary transitions.
- Analysis using 16S rRNA gene profiling, metagenomics, metabolomics, and bacterial culturing.
Main Results:
- Characterization of microbial communities during critical infant developmental periods.
- Insight into the functional capabilities of infant gut microbes during dietary shifts.
- Identification of microbial community structure and function changes related to diet.
Conclusions:
- Early dietary transitions profoundly impact the developing infant gut microbiome.
- This research bridges the gap between infant feeding practices and microbiome science.
- Findings will contribute to establishing evidence-based infant nutrition recommendations.
Abstract:
The first exposures to microbes occur during infancy and it is suggested that this initial colonization influences the adult microbiota composition. Despite the important role that the gut microbiome may have in health outcomes later in life, the factors that influence its development during infancy and early childhood have not been characterized fully. Guidelines about the introduction of solid foods and cessation of breastfeeding, which is thought to have a significant role in the transition to a more adult-like microbiota, are not based on microbiome research. There is even less understanding of approaches used to transition to solid food in the preterm population. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of early life dietary events on gut microbiome community structures and function among infants born at term and pre-term. We plan to prospectively monitor the gut microbiome of infants during two critical timepoints in microbial development: the introduction of solid foods and cessation from breastmilk. A total of 35 participants from three primary observational birth cohorts (two full-term cohorts and one pre-term cohort) will be enrolled in this sub-study. Participants will be asked to collect stool samples and fill out a study diary before, during and after the introduction of solids and again during weaning from breastmilk. We will use frequent fecal sampling analyzed using 16S rRNA gene profiling, metagenomics, metabolomics, and targeted bacterial culturing to identify and characterize the microbial communities, as well as provide insight into the phenotypic characteristics and functional capabilities of the microbes present during these transitional periods of infancy. This study will provide a comprehensive approach to detailing the effects of dietary transition from breastmilk to a more adult-like solid food diet on the microbiome and in doing so will contribute to evidence-based infant nutrition guidance.
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