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Gut microbial differences and function in infants with gastroschisis: a pilot prospective cohort study
K M Strobel1, S L Leibel2, S Bhute3,4
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Beneficial Microbes
|May 23, 2026
Summary
Infants with gastroschisis have altered gut microbiomes, with specific changes linked to prolonged parenteral nutrition and growth faltering. This study highlights distinct microbial profiles in these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Microbiome Research
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Infants with gastroschisis often experience gut dysbiosis, necessitating prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN) and leading to growth faltering (GF).
- Understanding the gut microbiome's role is crucial for managing these complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare gut microbiomes of gastroschisis infants to controls in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- Identify microbiome differences in gastroschisis infants based on PN duration and GF.
- Assess bacterial composition, diversity, and function.
Main Methods:
- Multi-site prospective cohort study.
- 17 infants with gastroschisis and 16 controls (gestational age > 34 weeks).
- Weekly stool sample analysis via shotgun metagenomics.
Main Results:
- Gastroschisis infants showed increased Staphylococcus aureus and decreased Bifidobacterium longum.
- Prolonged PN group had reduced glucosidase pathway genes.
- Growth faltering group had lower NAD-diphosphatase pathway genes.
Conclusions:
- Infants with gastroschisis exhibit a distinct gut microbiome composition and function compared to NICU controls.
- Microbiome functional capacity differs in gastroschisis infants requiring prolonged PN and those with GF.
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