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Development of the intestinal flora in very low birth weight infants compared to normal full-term newborns
Insights
The gut bacteria of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants fed human milk show delayed development of beneficial Bifidobacteria. This microbial imbalance may be linked to lower milk intake in these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatalogy
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Human milk is crucial for infant gut microbiome development.
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have unique physiological challenges.
- Understanding VLBW gut flora is vital for optimizing infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of fecal flora in VLBW infants.
- To compare the gut microbiome of VLBW infants with full-term infants.
- To identify factors influencing microbial colonization in VLBW infants.
Main Methods:
- Studied fecal flora development in seven VLBW infants (810-1350g birth weight).
- Infants were exclusively fed human milk.
- Compared microbial colonization patterns with established data from full-term infants.
Main Results:
- VLBW infants' intestines were initially colonized by Enterobacteria and Streptococci.
- Bifidobacterial colonization was significantly delayed in VLBW infants (appearing at ~10.6 days, predominant at ~19.8 days) compared to full-term infants (appearing at ~4 days).
- Higher levels of viable Staphylococci were observed in VLBW infants' stools.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants exhibit a delayed establishment of Bifidobacterial flora.
- Low milk intake in VLBW infants may contribute to this delayed colonization.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of altered gut microbiota in VLBW infants.
Abstract:
Development of faecal flora was studied in seven very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, who were fed on human milk and whose birth weights ranged from 810-1350 g. The intestine of the VLBW infants was first colonised by enterobacteria and streptococci, as it was in full-term infants. VLBW infants differed, however, from full-term infants in that both types of organism continued to be predominant for a longer period, and establishment of bifidobacterial flora was retarded. Bifidobacteria first appeared in the stools of VLBW infants at a mean age of 10.6 +/- 2.7 days and became predominant at a mean of 19.8 +/- 8.9 days, in contrast to full-term, breast-fed infants in whom bifidobacterial flora appeared at as early as 4 days of age. The delay seemed to be related to the low milk intake of the VLBW infants. The number of viable staphylococci in the stools of VLBW infants was generally higher than that in full-term infants. Although emergence of Bacteroides, Clostridium and lactobacilli was delayed compared with full-term infants, differences in their occurrence and prevalence between VLBW and full-term infants were not remarkable.