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Meconium Microbiome Maturation Patterns Linked to Postnatal Growth Failure in Neonates
Hyun Ho Kim1, Sae Yun Kim1, Hyun-Mi Kang1
1Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.
Infant gut microbiome composition in meconium differs in those who experience postnatal growth failure (PGF). Microbial maturation patterns also vary by gestational age (GA) and PGF status, indicating early developmental differences.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neonatal development
- Infant growth
Background:
- Postnatal growth failure (PGF) impacts infant health.
- Understanding the early life microbiome is crucial for infant development.
- Meconium microbiome composition may predict later growth outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in meconium microbial profiles based on PGF.
- To determine if gestational age (GA)-related microbial maturation varies with growth status.
- To analyze the association between PGF and meconium microbiome composition.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA sequencing of meconium samples from 310 neonates (22-40 weeks gestation).
- Comparison of microbial composition and diversity between PGF+ and PGF- infants (excluding SGA).
- Distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) to assess PGF's independent effect on microbiome.
Main Results:
- Meconium microbiome differed significantly between PGF+ and PGF- infants.
- PGF+ infants showed higher Proteobacteria; PGF- infants had higher Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes.
- Gestational age-related microbial maturation patterns varied, with fewer significant genus-level correlations in PGF+ infants.
Conclusions:
- Postnatal growth failure is linked to abundance-based shifts in meconium microbial taxa.
- Subtle differences in early microbial development may precede PGF.
- Meconium microbiome analysis offers insights into infant growth trajectories.
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