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Published on: July 5, 2024
The oral cavity and intestinal microbiome in children with functional constipation
Monika Kwiatkowska1,2, Marcin Gołębiewski3,4, Marcin Sikora4
1Department of Paediatrics, Allergology and Gastroenterology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100, Torun, Poland. monikasobecka5@gmail.com.
Insights
Pediatric constipation may stem from gut microbiome imbalances. This study found specific fecal bacteria, like lower levels of Christensenellaceae and higher Tannerellaceae, differ in children with constipation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Constipation affects nearly 30% of children, impacting pediatric practice.
- Gastrointestinal microbiome disturbances are potential causes of pediatric constipation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in oral and fecal microbiomes between children with and without constipation.
- To identify specific microbial taxa associated with functional constipation in children.
Main Methods:
- The study included 91 children (57 with constipation, 34 without).
- Saliva and stool microbiomes were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.
- Statistical analysis identified differences in bacterial abundance and diversity.
Main Results:
- Functional constipation was linked to distinct fecal microbiota compositions.
- Significantly lower abundance of families Burkholderiaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Chlostridiaceae was observed in constipated children.
- Higher abundance of Tannerellaceae and lower abundance of rare genera (e.g., Fusicatenibacter, Parabacteroides) were noted in children with constipation.
- No significant differences were found in saliva microbiome diversity or composition between groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with functional constipation exhibit significant differences in stool microbiome bacterial abundance.
- Rare genera such as Christensenellaceae r-7, Fusicatenibacter, Parabacteroides, Romboutsia, and Subdoligranulum may play a protective role against constipation.
- The findings highlight the fecal microbiome's role in pediatric constipation, while the saliva microbiome appears unaffected.
Abstract:
Constipation is a widespread problem in paediatric practice, affecting almost 30% of children. One of the key causal factors of constipation may be disturbances in the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal microbiome. The aim of the study was to determine whether the oral and fecal microbiomes differ between children with and without constipation. A total of 91 children over three years of age were included in the study. Of these, 57 were qualified to a group with constipation, and 34 to a group without. The saliva and stool microbiomes were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Functional constipation was associated with characteristic bacterial taxa in the fecal microbiota. Statistically significant differences were found at the family level: Burkholderiaceae (q = 0.047), Christensenellaceae (q = 0.047), Chlostridiaceae (q = 0.047) were significantly less abundant in the constipation group, while the Tannerellaceae (q = 0.007) were more abundant. At the genus level, the significant differences were observed for rare genera, including Christensenellaceae r-7 (q = 2.88 × 10-2), Fusicatenibacter (q = 2.88 × 10-2), Parabacteroides (q = 1.63 × 10-2), Romboutsia (q = 3.19 × 10-2) and Subdoligranulum (q = 1.17 × 10-2). All of them were less abundant in children with constipation. With the exception of significant taxonomic changes affecting only feces, no differences were found in the alpha and beta diversity of feces and saliva. Children with functional constipation demonstrated significant differences in the abundance of specific bacteria in the stool microbiome compared to healthy children. It is possible that the rare genera identified in our study which were less abundant in the constipated patients (Christensellaceae r-7, Fusicatenibacter, Parabacteroides, Romboutsia and Subdoligranulum) may play a role in protection against constipation. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to the saliva microbiome.
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