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Published on: August 7, 2017
Impacts of Different Perinatal Factors on Faecal Immune Compounds in Infants: Determination of Normal Values
Marta Suárez1,2, Gonzalo Solís1,2,3,4, Laura Mantecón1,2
1Pediatrics Service, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA-SESPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain.
Insights
Early infant gut microbiota and immune factors in feces were analyzed. Perinatal factors like prematurity and breastfeeding significantly impact immune profiles, offering insights into infant health programming.
Area of Science:
- * Immunology
- * Microbiology
- * Neonatal Health
Background:
- * The gut microbiota is crucial for immune system development, but its early establishment and impact on long-term health are not fully understood.
- * While immune compounds are studied in serum, their analysis in infant fecal samples remains largely unexplored, representing a valuable data gap.
- * Perinatal factors are known to influence gut microbiota, yet their specific effects on immune development in early life require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To characterize the fecal immunological profile of one-month-old infants.
- * To investigate the influence of perinatal factors on this fecal immune profile.
- * To explore associations between fecal immune compounds and the gut microbiota in infants.
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of fecal samples from a cohort of one-month-old infants.
- * Characterization of various immune compounds and gut microbiota composition in fecal samples.
- * Statistical analysis to identify differences and associations related to perinatal factors.
Main Results:
- * Significant differences in fecal immune profiles were observed between full-term and premature infants.
- * Breastfeeding was associated with increased levels of Immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2), Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), and Immunoglobulin A (IgA).
- * Male infants exhibited higher levels of certain immunoglobulins (Igs) compared to female infants.
Conclusions:
- * The study confirms the interaction between gut microorganisms and immune compounds in the early neonatal gut.
- * Fecal immunological profiling provides valuable insights into early life immune development.
- * Understanding these early gut interactions is essential for comprehending the influence of gut microbiota on infant health outcomes.
Abstract:
The gut microbiota is a key and primary stimulus for the development of a host's immune system. The early establishment of the gut microbiota is affected by several perinatal factors but little is known about their influence on shaping normal immune development and, consequently, on the programming of future health. The analysis of different immune compounds is well-documented in serum samples; however, their presence in faecal samples has not been studied, and this information could be valuable in early life. In this context, the authors of this study aimed to both describe the immunological faecal profile of a cohort of one-month-old infants and describe the impact of different perinatal factors, exploring possible associations between immune compounds and gut microbiota in faecal samples. Clear differences in immune profile were observed between full-term and premature infants. Breastfeeding increases IgG2, IgG4, and IgA; in addition, male babies showed some increased Igs, among other observations. Overall, the findings of this study reinforce the hypothesis that microorganisms and immune compounds interact with each other in the early neonatal gut and that understanding these interactions in depth will help us comprehend the influence of the gut microbiota on short- and long-term infant health outcomes.
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