Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model
Published on: July 28, 2023
Compositional Differences of Meconium Microbiomes of Preterm and Term Infants, and Infants That Developed Necrotizing
Hyun Mi Kang1,2, Sol Kim1, Seok Hwang-Bo1
1Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.
Insights
The first meconium microbiome differs between preterm and term infants. Infants developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or feeding intolerance (FI) had altered meconium microbiome composition compared to healthy infants.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neonatal health
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The neonatal gut microbiome plays a crucial role in infant development and health.
- Disruptions in the early microbiome are linked to various infant morbidities, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and feeding intolerance (FI).
- Understanding the initial meconium microbiome composition is vital for predicting and potentially preventing these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate compositional differences in the first meconium microbiome between preterm and term infants.
- To compare meconium microbiomes of infants who later developed NEC/FI versus those who did not.
- To identify specific microbial taxa associated with gestational age and NEC/FI development.
Main Methods:
- Collection and analysis of the first meconium passed within 72 hours of birth from 108 preterm and term newborns.
- Microbiome profiling at phylum and genus levels.
- Statistical analysis to compare microbial composition based on gestational age and NEC/FI development.
Main Results:
- Meconium microbiomes showed disrupted core constituents in infants born < 30 weeks gestational age (GA).
- Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes (phylum), Prevotella and Bacteroides (genus) were predominant.
- Increasing GA correlated with increased Bacteroidetes and Prevotella, and decreased Proteobacteria and Enterococcus.
- Infants who developed NEC/FI had lower alpha diversity and altered abundances of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The first meconium microbiome composition differs significantly between preterm and term infants.
- Specific microbial signatures in meconium are associated with gestational age.
- Altered meconium microbiome composition is observed in infants who subsequently develop NEC/FI, suggesting a potential role in pathogenesis.
Abstract:
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the compositional differences of the first passed meconium microbiome in preterm and term infants, and the secondary aim was to compare the meconium microbiomes of preterm and term infants that later developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)/Feeding intolerance (FI) compared to those that did not develop NEC/FI. During the study period, a total of 108 preterm and term newborns' first passed meconium occurring within 72 hours of birth were collected and microbiome analyzed. Meconium microbiomes showed a disruption in the percentages of the core microbiome constituents in both the phylum and genus levels in infants born < 30 weeks of gestational age (GA) compared to those born ≥ 30 weeks of GA. In the phylum level, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, and in the genus level, Prevotella and Bacteroides, were predominant, with Prevotella accounting for 20−30% of the relative abundance. As GA increased, a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P for trend < 0.001) and decrease in Proteobacteria (P for trend = 0.049) was observed in the phylum level. In the genus level, as GA increased, Prevotella (P for trend < 0.001) and Bacteroides (P for trend = 0.002) increased significantly, whereas Enterococcus (P for trend = 0.020) decreased. Compared to the control group, the meconium of infants that later developed NEC/FI had significantly lower alpha diversities but similar beta-diversities. Furthermore, the NEC/FI group showed a significantly lower abundance of Bacteroidetes (P < 0.001), and higher abundance of Firmicutes (P = 0.034). To conclude, differences were observed in the composition of the first passed meconium in preterm and term infants that later develop NEC/FI compared to those that did not.
