Impact of Microbiome on Growth in Preterm Infants

Study Overview

A recent study explored the influence of the microbiome during the critical growth phase of infancy, particularly focusing on extremely preterm infants (EPT). Despite the extensive resources and information available to new parents through both familial advice and the parenting industry, some infants still experience growth challenges during this vital period.

Challenges Faced by EPT Infants

EPT infants often face significant health challenges, including low birth weight and neurodevelopmental issues. Dr. Patrick Seed, the Chief of Infectious Diseases at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, highlighted the need for better methods to identify infants at risk for growth failure. He believes that investigating the microbiome of EPT infants could provide valuable insights for developing interventions.

Research Methodology

In collaboration with researchers at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Dr. Seed conducted a longitudinal prospective cohort study. The study analyzed the microbiota and metabolome of EPT infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to determine their correlation with growth failure. The findings were published in *Scientific Reports*.

The researchers hypothesized that severe postnatal growth failure would be linked to a reduced diversity of microbes in the microbiome and metabolic deficiencies in EPT infants. To test this, they collected DNA samples from the infants’ microbial communities.

Study Participants

The study involved 58 infants born at or before 27 weeks of gestation, with an average weight of 2 pounds. Infants with post-birth complications related to their prematurity were excluded from the study. Researchers collected stool samples, added a buffer to preserve the DNA, and extracted the genetic material. An online database was utilized to identify the bacterial species present in each infant’s gut.

Results and Findings

The results supported the researchers’ initial predictions. Out of the 58 EPT infants, 36 experienced growth failure, demonstrating specific characteristics in their microbiome analysis. The infants in this group exhibited higher levels of harmful bacteria, including Staphylococcus and Enterobacteriaceae, while showing lower levels of beneficial bacteria.

Staphylococcus can lead to skin infections and serious conditions such as endocarditis, while E. coli, a common enterobacterial infection, poses a significant risk to immunocompromised infants, potentially resulting in severe complications like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Future Implications for Preterm Infants

Dr. Seed emphasized the current lack of predictive tests for determining which premature infants are likely to experience growth failure. By utilizing stool analysis to assess metabolic deficiencies and microbial diversity, researchers could develop new diagnostic tools that enhance postnatal care standards.

Furthermore, existing methods, such as microbial transplantation from healthy donors to recipients, have shown promise in supporting immune-deficient infants. The findings from the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute may pave the way for improved growth rates in preterm infants by addressing the gap in diagnostic tools for growth failure.

Conclusion

The study underscores the critical role of the microbiome in the growth of preterm infants and highlights potential pathways for future research and intervention.

Written by Nikki Khoshnood, BHSc Candidate
Reference: Young, E. N., Newgard, B. C., Cotten, M. C., Goldberg, N. R., Muehlbauer, J. M., Bain, R. J., Stevens, D. R., O’Connell, M. T., Rawls, F. J., Seed, C. P., Ashley, L. P. (June 2019). Disrupted Maturation of the Microbiota and Metabolome among Extremely Preterm Infants with Postnatal Growth Failure. *Scientific Reports*, volume 9, Article number: 8167.
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