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Gut microbiota differences in five-year-old children that were born preterm with a history of necrotizing

Amanda Magnusson1,2, Seyedeh Marziyeh Jabbari Shiadeh3,4, Maryam Ardalan3,4

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Iscience
|July 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants causes lasting gut microbiota changes, even by age 5. Surgical NEC treatment further reduces microbial diversity, impacting gut health long-term.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal condition affecting preterm infants.
  • Long-term consequences of NEC on gut microbiome composition and function remain incompletely understood.
  • Surgical intervention for NEC may have distinct effects on gut microbial ecology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term impact of NEC on the gut microbiota of children at age 5.
  • To compare the gut microbial profiles of NEC survivors (surgically and medically treated) with preterm controls without NEC.
  • To identify specific microbial alterations associated with NEC and its treatment modalities.

Main Methods:

  • Shotgun metagenomic sequencing of stool samples from 5-year-old children.
  • Comparative analysis of gut microbiota diversity (Shannon index, evenness) and taxonomic composition.
  • Stratification of NEC patients based on treatment history (surgical vs. medical).

Main Results:

  • Persistent gut microbiota dysbiosis was observed in children with a history of NEC compared to controls.
  • Reduced species diversity and evenness were prominent features in NEC survivors.
  • Surgical NEC treatment was associated with significantly lower microbial diversity (lower Shannon index) and distinct taxonomic profiles.
  • Microbiota alterations were significantly influenced by surgical intervention for NEC.

Conclusions:

  • NEC and its treatments, particularly surgery, induce profound and lasting changes in the gut microbiota of preterm infants.
  • Long-term gut dysbiosis following NEC may have implications for subsequent health.
  • Further research is warranted to develop therapeutic strategies targeting NEC-associated gut dysbiosis.

Keywords:
gastroenterologymicrobiome

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