Summary
- A study analyzed samples from a cohort of preterm infants and found that the average maternal age was 29 years and 100% received prenatal betamethasone.
- Infants in the cohort had an average gestational age of 27.9 weeks, with 64% receiving intubation and surfactant, and 73% receiving antibiotics for ≥2 days.
- All infants followed the NICU’s feeding policy, progressing from unfortified breast milk to fortified milk based on their weight and clinical status.
- Transition to oral feeds had the most significant impact on the diversity of saliva microbiome, with increased microbial diversity over time in saliva samples.
- Delivery method did not significantly influence the microbiome in preterm infants, but transition to oral feeds impacted the milk metabolome, revealing changes in milk type and feeding status on microbial communities.
A recent study analyzed samples from a group of preterm infants and their mothers to understand the characteristics of their health. The study looked at clinical data from 11 infant-maternal pairs, showing that the mothers were around 29 years old on average. All mothers received prenatal betamethasone, with most undergoing a cesarean section. Some mothers experienced premature prolonged rupture of membranes. The average gestational age at birth for the infants was 27.9 weeks.
The infants in the study received human milk or donor milk, along with fortifiers and preterm formula based on the unit’s feeding policies. They followed a standard feeding policy in the NICU based on their weight at birth. The study collected longitudinal samples from the infants at different time points, with some samples taken before starting oral feeds and some after. The researchers found changes in microbial diversity in the infants’ saliva samples over time, especially after transitioning to oral feeds.
The study also looked at the impact of different milk types on the microbial communities in the infants. They found that fortified human milk and formula had unique microbial communities compared to unfortified human milk. In the saliva samples, certain bacteria like Streptococcus and Klebsiella increased after the transition to oral feeds.
Interestingly, the study did not find a significant influence of the delivery method (vaginal vs. cesarean section) on the infants’ microbiomes. However, the transition to oral feeds had a notable impact on the milk metabolome, with changes in metabolites observed over time and with different milk types.
Overall, the study sheds light on how different factors like feeding practices and milk types can influence the microbial communities in preterm infants. This research could lead to better understanding and management of their health in the future.
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Pediatrics, Microbiome, Metabolome, Breastfeeding, Preterm infant, Allergy & Clinical Immunology