Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

2.4K

Influence of Human Milk on Very Preterms' Gut Microbiota and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity

Juliana Morais1,2, Cláudia Marques1,3, Ana Faria1,2

  • 1Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal.

Nutrients
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mother's own milk (MOM) and donor human milk (DHM) promote beneficial gut bacteria and increase fecal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in preterm infants. Human milk feeding may protect against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric nutrition

Background:

  • Preterm infants (≤32 weeks gestational age) have altered gut microbiota and are at high risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
  • Infant feeding strategies, including mother's own milk (MOM), donor human milk (DHM), and formula, may influence gut microbiome development and NEC risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the influence of different infant feeding types on fecal microbiota composition and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in extremely and very preterm infants.
  • To explore the association between human milk feeding and specific beneficial bacteria, bacterial richness, and fecal ALP activity.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study (FEEDMI Study, NCT03663556) involving 117 very preterm neonates.
  • Collection of meconium and fecal samples at four time points (postnatal days 2-26).
  • Analysis of fecal microbiota by RT-PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing; fecal ALP activity measured by spectrophotometry.

Main Results:

  • Human milk (MOM and DHM) was positively associated with beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides ovatus, Akkermancia muciniphila) and increased bacterial richness.
  • Neonates fed human milk in the first week of life showed higher Bifidobacterium content and fecal ALP activity at postnatal day 26.
  • Fecal ALP activity is a potential biomarker for NEC.

Conclusions:

  • MOM and DHM are crucial for establishing a healthy fecal microbiota in preterm neonates.
  • Human milk feeding may protect against NEC through an ALP-mediated pathway.
  • Findings highlight the importance of human milk for preterm infant gut health and NEC prevention.

Keywords:
alkaline phosphatasedonor human milkformulagut microbiotamother’s own milkvery preterm neonates

More Related Videos

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings04:16

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings

Published on: February 7, 2025

691
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

20.1K

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
84.6K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
49
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH01:29

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH

Microorganisms are classified as acidophiles, neutrophiles, or alkaliphiles based on their pH growth preferences, reflecting their adaptations to specific environments. Maintaining a stable intracellular pH is critical for macromolecular stability and enzymatic activity, which can be challenged by external pH variations.Neutrophiles, such as Escherichia coli, grow optimally between pH 5.5 and 8.0. These microorganisms inhabit neutral or slightly acidic environments and employ mechanisms like...
616
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
49
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
548