Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
10:51

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device

Published on: August 30, 2016

22.3K

Gut Microbiota Alteration in Healthy Preterm Infants: An Observational Study from Tertiary Care Center in India

Prabavathi Devarajalu1, Jogender Kumar2, Sourabh Dutta2

  • 1Pediatric Biochemistry Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.

Microorganisms
|March 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplementation and infant’s postnatal age significantly alter gut microbiota composition in preterm infants. These interventions impact microbial diversity and function, including bile acid metabolism and glycosphingolipid synthesis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Research
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Gut microbiota development is influenced by various prenatal and postnatal factors.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing infant health, especially in vulnerable preterm populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of multiple factors on the gut microbiota of healthy Indian preterm infants in the NICU.
  • To identify key drivers of microbial diversity and functional profiles in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Weekly fecal sample collection from preterm infants (day 7-30) in the NICU.
  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing and PICRUSt2 for functional microbiome profiling.
  • Statistical analysis using MaAsLin2 to identify significant factors.

Main Results:

  • Probiotic administration, postnatal age, mode of delivery, and infant sex were major contributors to altered microbial diversity.
  • Probiotic supplementation significantly increased Bifidobacterium levels.
  • Functional analysis indicated enhanced bacterial genes for bile acid metabolism and glycosphingolipid synthesis with probiotic use.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics and postnatal age are key modulators of gut microbial composition and function in healthy preterm infants.
  • Findings highlight the potential of probiotics in shaping the preterm infant gut microbiome.

Keywords:
16S rRNA gene sequencingIndiaNICUcalprotectingestational agegutmicrobiotamode of deliverypostnatal agepreterm infantsprobioticssex

More Related Videos

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

18.4K
Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model05:41

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

2.6K

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...