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Establishment of a mucin-degrading intestinal microflora during the first two years of human life
A C Midtvedt1, B Carlstedt-Duke, T Midtvedt
1Department of Medical Microbial Ecology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
The development of mucin-degrading gut bacteria in infants is linked to diet. Exclusively breast-fed infants showed delayed mucin degradation compared to formula-fed infants.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The intestinal microflora plays a crucial role in infant digestion and health.
- Mucin degradation by gut bacteria is an important aspect of microbial colonization.
- Dietary factors, such as breast milk and formula, can influence the development of the infant gut microbiome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment of mucin-degrading intestinal microflora in healthy Swedish infants.
- To examine the influence of diet (breast milk vs. formula) on the development of mucin degradation.
- To correlate the age of infants with the degree of mucin degradation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 30 healthy Swedish children from birth to 24 months of age.
- Agar gel electrophoresis of fecal samples collected at regular intervals (0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 months).
- Analysis of dietary intake, distinguishing between exclusive breastfeeding and formula feeding (with or without breast milk).
Main Results:
- At 3 months, 18 children exhibited limited mucin degradation, while 12 showed none.
- Infants exclusively breast-fed for at least 4 months showed significantly delayed initiation of mucin degradation compared to formula-fed infants.
- Complete mucin degradation was observed in 21 children by 1 year and in all children by 2 years of age.
- A positive correlation between infant age and mucin degradation was noted between birth and 1 month, and between 6 and 9 months.
Conclusions:
- The establishment of mucin-degrading intestinal microflora is a developmental process influenced by age and diet.
- Exclusive breastfeeding delays the onset of mucin degradation compared to formula feeding.
- The infant gut microbiome matures to degrade mucin completely by two years of age.
Abstract:
The establishment of a mucin-degrading intestinal microflora was followed in 30 healthy Swedish children by agar gel electrophoresis of fecal samples taken at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months of age. At 3 months, 18 children showed a limited degree of mucin degradation, while 12 children showed no degradation. In children exclusively breast-fed for at least 4 months, mucin degradation was initiated significantly later than in children who received formula, with or without breast milk, by 1 month of age. Complete degradation of mucin was seen in 21 children after 1 year of age and in all children at 2 years. A positive correlation between increasing age and increased degradation of mucin was found between birth and 1 month and between 6 and 9 months, after standardization for the period of exposure to foods other than breast milk.