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Skin-Microbiome Assembly in Preterm Infants during the First Three Weeks of Life and Impact of Topical Coconut Oil
Noor-Ul-Huda Ghori1,2, Christopher A Mullally2,3, Mark P Nicol1
1Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Biomedical Sciences and The Marshall Centre, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia.
Insights
Topical coconut oil may alter the developing skin microbiome in preterm infants. This study found reduced microbiome diversity in infants treated with coconut oil compared to standard care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infant skin immaturity (<34 weeks gestation) increases the risk of late-onset sepsis (LOS).
- Topical coconut oil may improve preterm infant skin integrity and potentially reduce LOS.
- Limited data exists on early-life skin microbiome succession and emollient effects in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early-life skin microbiome succession in preterm infants.
- To determine the effects of topical coconut oil on the preterm infant skin microbiome.
- To understand the relationship between skin care practices and microbial colonization in vulnerable infants.
Main Methods:
- Skin microbiome samples collected from ear, axilla, and groin of preterm infants (<30 weeks gestation) on days 1, 7, 14, and 21.
- Comparison between infants receiving standard skin care versus topical coconut oil as part of a randomized clinical trial.
- Analysis of microbiome diversity and composition over the first 21 days of life.
Main Results:
- Within-sample microbiome diversity was highest on day 1 post-birth, decreasing over time.
- The *Staphylococcus* genus emerged as dominant from day 7 onwards.
- Microbiome assembly showed lower diversity in infants treated with coconut oil compared to standard care.
Conclusions:
- Early-life skin care, specifically emollient use like coconut oil, can modify the developing skin microbiome in preterm infants.
- The findings provide novel insights into preterm infant skin microbiome composition and the impact of interventions.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these microbiome alterations for infant health and sepsis risk.
Abstract:
The structure and function of infant skin is not fully developed until 34 weeks of gestation, and this immaturity is associated with risk of late-onset sepsis (LOS). Topical coconut oil improves preterm-infant skin integrity and may reduce LOS. However, data on early-life skin-microbiome succession and potential effects of emollient skin care in preterm infants are scarce. We therefore collected skin-microbiome samples from the ear, axilla, and groin on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 from preterm infants born <30 weeks of gestation as part of a randomized clinical trial of standard skin care vs. topical coconut oil. We found that within-sample microbiome diversity was highest on day 1 after birth, with a subsequent decline and emergence of Staphylococcus genus dominance from day 7. Moreover, microbiome assembly was less diverse in infants receiving coconut oil vs. standard skin care. Our study provides novel data on preterm-infant skin-microbiome composition and highlights the modifying potential of emollient skin care.
