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Sociodemographic Factors and Intestinal Microbiome Development in Preterm, Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Katelyn Desorcy-Scherer1,2, Monica F Torrez Lamberti3, Michael Weaver1
1College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
American Journal of Perinatology
|August 28, 2023
Summary
Sociodemographic factors like race and sex have limited impact on the gut microbiome diversity in preterm infants. However, differences in individual bacterial colonization were observed, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal microbiome research
- Infant gut health and development
- Sociodemographic influences on microbial ecology
Background:
- Preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face risks of intestinal issues and microbiome dysbiosis.
- Sociodemographic factors are known to affect infant health but their early impact on the intestinal microbiome is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between race, sex, socioeconomic status, and the intestinal microbiome in VLBW infants.
- To explore how early-life sociodemographic factors shape the developing infant gut microbiome.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial involving 79 preterm infants (≤30 weeks gestation).
- Stool samples collected weekly for 4 weeks, analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing (V4 region, Illumina MiSeq).
- Analysis included alpha and beta diversity, and relative bacterial abundance.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in alpha or beta diversity were found across race, sex, or socioeconomic status groups.
- Differential abundance analysis revealed limited distinctions in the overall microbiome composition.
- Some sociodemographic-linked differences in the colonization of specific bacterial taxa were observed.
Conclusions:
- Race, sex, and socioeconomic status appear to influence the colonization of specific microorganisms to a limited extent in VLBW infants.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess the clinical relevance of observed colonization patterns.
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