The impact of gut microbiota on morbidities in preterm infants

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• The gut microbiota develops significantly from birth, influencing lifelong health.
• Disruptions in gut microbiota development, known as dysbiosis, are common in preterm infants.
• The gut-organ axis describes how gut microbiota impacts remote organs, with implications for disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on gut microbiota and morbidities in preterm infants.
• To explore the role of the gut-organ axis in preterm infant health.
• To provide insights into future microbiota interventions for preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing evidence.
• Analysis of studies on gut microbiota and preterm infant morbidities.
• Exploration of gut-organ axis pathways.

Main Results:

• Gut dysbiosis in preterm infants is associated with acute morbidities like necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of prematurity.
• Gut dysbiosis may also negatively impact long-term neurodevelopment and somatic growth in preterm infants.
• The gut-organ axis plays a significant role in mediating these effects.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota plays a critical role in preterm infant health, influencing both acute and long-term outcomes.
• Understanding the gut-organ axis is key to comprehending the impact of dysbiosis.
• Targeted microbiota interventions hold promise for improving preterm infant health.