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Describing Biological Vulnerability in Small, Vulnerable Newborns in Urban Burkina Faso (DenBalo): Gut Microbiota,
Lionel Olivier Ouédraogo1,2, Lishi Deng1, Cheick Ahmed Ouattara3
1Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Insights
This study examines how maternal and infant factors, including microbiota and immune development, impact outcomes for small vulnerable newborns (SVNs). Findings aim to reduce neonatal mortality in Burkina Faso.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal health
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
Background:
- Small vulnerable newborns (SVNs) face high mortality risks.
- Maternal microbiota and breastfeeding are crucial for neonatal development, especially in low-resource settings.
- High neonatal mortality rates persist in Burkina Faso.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate maternal and neonatal factors influencing health outcomes in SVNs.
- Analyze the role of vaginal and gut microbiota, immune development, and nutrition.
- Identify targets for interventions to improve neonatal health.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort observational study of 141 mother-infant pairs (70 SVNs, 71 controls) in Burkina Faso.
- Six-month follow-up with anthropometric measurements and biospecimen collection (blood, breast milk, stool, etc.).
- Multi-omics approaches (metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, immune profiling) to analyze microbiota and immune responses.
Main Results:
- Data will compare microbiota, metabolomic, and proteomic profiles between SVNs and healthy infants.
- Immune cell maturation and cytokine levels will be assessed at key developmental stages.
- Differences in these profiles will be correlated with health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The study will provide comprehensive data on microbial and immune differences in SVNs.
- Findings will inform targeted interventions to reduce neonatal mortality.
- Results are expected to improve health outcomes for vulnerable newborns in resource-limited settings.
Abstract:
Background: Small vulnerable newborns (SVNs), including those born preterm, small for gestational age, or with low birth weight, are at higher risk of neonatal mortality and long-term health complications. Early exposure to maternal vaginal microbiota and breastfeeding plays a critical role in the development of the neonatal microbiota and immune system, especially in low-resource settings like Burkina Faso, where neonatal mortality rates remain high. Objectives: The DenBalo study aims to investigate the role of maternal and neonatal factors, such as vaginal and gut microbiota, immune development, and early nutrition, in shaping health outcomes in SVNs and healthy infants. Methods: This prospective cohort observational study will recruit 141 mother-infant pairs (70 SVNs and 71 healthy controls) from four health centers in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The mother-infant pairs will be followed for six months with anthropometric measurements and biospecimen collections, including blood, breast milk, saliva, stool, vaginal swabs, and placental biopsies. Multi-omics approaches, encompassing metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and immune profiling, will be used to assess vaginal and gut microbiota composition and functionality, immune cell maturation, and cytokine levels at critical developmental stages. Conclusions: This study will generate comprehensive data on how microbiota, metabolomic, and proteomic profiles, along with immune system development, differ between SVNs and healthy infants. These findings will guide targeted interventions to improve neonatal health outcomes and reduce mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations.
