Delivery Mode Affects Stability of Early Infant Gut Microbiota

The establishment of the gut microbiota poses implications for short and long-term health. Bifidobacterium is an important taxon in early life, being one of the most abundant genera in the infant intestinal microbiota and carrying out key functions for maintaining host-homeostasis. Recent metagenomic studies have shown that different factors, such as gestational age, delivery mode, or feeding habits, affect the gut microbiota establishment at high phylogenetic levels. However, their impact on the specific bifidobacterial populations is not yet well understood. Here we studied the impact of these factors on the different Bifidobacterium species and subspecies at both the quantitative and qualitative levels. Fecal samples were taken from 85 neonates at 2, 10, 30, 90 days of life, and the relative proportions of the different bifidobacterial populations were assessed by 16S rRNA–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing. Absolute levels of the main species were determined by q-PCR. Our results showed that the bifidobacterial population establishment is affected by gestational age, delivery mode, and infant feeding, as it is evidenced by qualitative and quantitative changes. These data underline the need for understanding the impact of perinatal factors on the gut microbiota also at low taxonomic levels, especially in the case of relevant microbial populations such as Bifidobacterium. The data obtained provide indications for the selection of the species best suited for the development of bifidobacteria-based products for different groups of neonates and will help to develop rational strategies for favoring a healthy early microbiota development when this process is challenged.

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The effects of gestational age on the composition and predicted function of gut microbiota in neonates and early infants

World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews ◽

10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.2.0648 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 567-573

Author(s):

Kaiyu Pan ◽

Lianfang Yu ◽

Chengyue Zhang ◽

Jianhua Zhan ◽

Rongliang Tu

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Full Term ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

16S Sequencing ◽

Α Diversity ◽

Preterm Group ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Predicted Function

Gut microbiota can influence cell differentiation, metabolism, and immune function and is key for the normal development and future health of early infants. Several factors have been reported to be related to the microbiota composition of neonates, such as gestational age, delivery mode, feeding method, antibiotics consumption, and ethnicity, among others. So we investigated the relationship between gestational age and the composition and predicted function of the gut microbiota of neonates and early infants by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene present in stool samples obtained from 100 prospectively enrolled full-term and preterm newborns. In the 3-day-old neonates samples, the prominent genera in the full-term group were Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides, while in the preterm group, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium were the most abundant genera identified. There were statistical difference between two groups(P<0.05). Moreover, the predominant genera in the full-term group were Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Clostridium , whereas the main genera in the preterm group were Escherichia-Shigella, Clostridium, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides, in stool samples from 30-42-day-old infants. We found the α-diversity in 3-day-old group was significantly lower than in the 30-42-day-old group whether it’s full-term or preterm (P<0.001). Functional inference analysis revealed higher levels of biodegradation and metabolism of carbohydrates, vitamins in the full-term group than in the preterm group, both in neonates and early infants, which may contribute to the stability of the microbiota in the full-term group. There were significant differences in the composition and predicted function of the gut microbiota of early infants due to gestational age. The 16S sequencing technology was an effective and reliable tool in the detection of gut microbiota in early infants.

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Ongoing Supplementation of Probiotics to Cesarean-Born Neonates during the First Month of Life may Impact the Gut Microbial

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1710559 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wenqing Yang ◽

Liang Tian ◽

Jiao Luo ◽

Jialin Yu

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Next Generation Sequencing Technology ◽

Operational Taxonomic Units ◽

Β Diversity ◽

Α Diversity ◽

Clusters Of Orthologous Groups ◽

And Function

Objective The delivery mode is considered to be a significant influencing factor in the early gut microbiota composition, which is associated with the long-term health of the host. In this study, we tried to explore the effects of probiotics on the intestinal microbiota of C-section neonates. Study Design Twenty-six Chinese neonates were enrolled in this study. The neonates were divided into four groups: VD (natural delivery neonates, n = 3), CD (cesarean-born neonates, n = 9), CDL (cesarean-born neonates supplemented with probiotic at a lower dosage, n = 7), and CDH (cesarean-born neonates supplemented with probiotic at a higher dosage, n = 7). Fecal samples were collected on the 3rd, 7th, and 28th day since birth. The V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene was sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology. Results The α-diversity of the intestinal microbiota of cesarean delivery neonates was significantly lower than that of the naturally delivered neonates on the 28th day (p = 0.005). After supplementation with probiotics for 28 days, the α-diversity and the β-diversity of the gut flora in the cesarean-born infants (CDL28 and CDH28) was similar to that in the vaginally delivery infants. Meanwhile, the abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased since the 3rd day of probiotic supplementation. Besides, the sustained supplementation of probiotics to neonates would help improve the abundance of the operational taxonomic units in several different Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins. Conclusion This study showed that probiotics supplementation to cesarean-born neonates since birth might impact the diversity and function of gut microbiota. Key Points

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Dynamics of Gut Microbiota According to the Delivery Mode in Healthy Korean Infants

Allergy Asthma and Immunology Research ◽

10.4168/aair.2016.8.5.471 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 471 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Eun Lee ◽

Byoung-Ju Kim ◽

Mi-Jin Kang ◽

Kil Yong Choi ◽

Hyun-Ju Cho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Delivery Mode

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Gut Microbiota Shift in Obese Adolescents Born by Cesarean Section

International Journal of Biomedicine ◽

10.21103/article10(4)_oa19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 424-429

Author(s):

Evgenia Novikova ◽

Natalia Belkova ◽

Anna Pogodina ◽

Anastasia Romanitsa ◽

Elizaveta Klimenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Postnatal Period ◽

Human Reproduction ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Illumina Platform ◽

Scientific Center ◽

Variable Regions ◽

Obese Adolescents

Background: It is known that in the early postnatal period a variety of factors affect the gut microbiota (GM) composition, including delivery mode. The effect of delivery mode on the human GM in the late postnatal period remains unexplored. A shift of GM composition due to delivery mode may contribute to the development of obesity in adulthood. Methods and Results: The study included six adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years treated and examined at the Clinic of the Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction (Irkutsk, Russia) in 2016. Stool samples were collected following the standard operating procedures according to the International Human Microbiome Standards. Metasequencing of V3-V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene was performed by the Novogene Company (China) on the Illumina platform. Bioinformatic analysis was done by the bri-shur.com services. Sequencing reads were presented as normalized values. In general, the GM composition of obese adolescents born by cesarean section was characterized by composition heterogeneity within the Bacteroidetes phylum and the dominance of certain phylotypes as signs of dysbiosis for each adolescent. We detected an increased abundance of phyla Bacteroides and Proteobacteria, and an absence of Tenericutes in obese adolescents born by Caesarean section. On the level of genera, the prevalence of Bacteroides and Bacteroides S24-7 phylotypes, and the absence of the RF39 phylotype, led to the GM shift associated with a cesarean section or obesity. Conclusion: Obese adolescents born by cesarean section delivery present the shift in GM composition.

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Breastfeeding restored the gut microbiota in caesarean section infants and lowered the infection risk in early life

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-020-02433-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cheng Guo ◽

Qian Zhou ◽

Muxia Li ◽

Letian Zhou ◽

Lei Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Caesarean Section ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Early Life ◽

Infant Development ◽

Infection Risk ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Formula Milk ◽

Time Points ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background The initialization of the neonatal gut microbiota (GM) is affected by diverse factors and is associated with infant development and health outcomes. Methods In this study, we collected 207 faecal samples from 41 infants at 6 time points (1, 3, and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after birth). The infants were assigned to four groups according to delivery mode (caesarean section (CS) or vaginal delivery (VD)) and feeding pattern (breastfeeding or formula milk). Results The meconium bacterial diversity was slightly higher in CS than in VD. Three GM patterns were identified, including Escherichia/Shigella-Streptococcus-dominated, Bifidobacterium-Escherichia/Shigella-dominated and Bifidobacterium-dominated patterns, and they gradually changed over time. In CS infants, Bifidobacterium was less abundant, and the delay in GM establishment could be partially restored by breastfeeding. The frequency of respiratory tract infection and diarrhoea consequently decreased. Conclusion This study fills some gaps in the understanding of the restoration of the GM in CS towards that in VD.

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Effect of Delivery Mode and Nutrition on Gut Microbiota in Neonates

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000496427 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 132-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Shohei Akagawa ◽

Shoji Tsuji ◽

Chikushi Onuma ◽

Yuko Akagawa ◽

Tadashi Yamaguchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Bacterial Diversity ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Cesarean Section Delivery ◽

Feeding Type ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Background/Aims: The mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) and feeding type (breastfeeding or formula feeding) of neonates are considered the most influential factors in the development of gut microbiota. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of prebiotic-rich breast milk on overcoming gut microbiota dysbiosis. Method: Stool samples from 36 healthy Japanese neonates were obtained at 4 days and 1 month of age, and divided into 4 groups based on mode of delivery and feeding type. The gut microbiota composition and bacterial diversity were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: At 4 days old, vaginally delivered neonates had a significantly higher diversity of bacteria than those born by cesarean section. Bacteroidales and Enterobacteriales were overrepresented in vaginally delivered neonates (p = 0.0031 and p = 0.011), while Bacillales and Lactobacillales were overrepresented in caesarean section delivered neonates (p = 0.012 and p = 0.0016). However, there was little difference in bacterial diversity and bacterial relative abundance at 1 month of age between groups. Conclusions: Cesarean section delivery appeared to reduce the diversity of neonate gut microbiota, resulting in dysbiosis, but this improved to the equivalent level seen in vaginally delivered infants by 1 month of age. Breastfeeding, even for short periods, may therefore improve neonate gut dysbiosis.

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Prenatal administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus has no effect on the diversity of the early infant gut microbiota

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology ◽

10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01239.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 255-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Intan H. Ismail ◽

Frances Oppedisano ◽

Shayne J. Joseph ◽

Robert J. Boyle ◽

Roy M. Robins-Browne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus ◽

Early Infant

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Gut Microbiota and Mucosal Immunity in the Neonate

Medical Sciences ◽

10.3390/medsci6030056 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 56 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Majda Dzidic ◽

Alba Boix-Amorós ◽

Marta Selma-Royo ◽

Alex Mira ◽

Maria Collado

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

System Response ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Complex Dynamic ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Gut Immunity ◽

Microbe Interactions ◽

Immune System Response ◽

Host Microbe Interactions

Gut microbiota colonization is a complex, dynamic, and step-wise process that is in constant development during the first years of life. This microbial settlement occurs in parallel with the maturation of the immune system, and alterations during this period, due to environmental and host factors, are considered to be potential determinants of health-outcomes later in life. Given that host–microbe interactions are mediated by the immune system response, it is important to understand the close relationship between immunity and the microbiota during birth, lactation, and early infancy. This work summarizes the evidence to date on early gut microbiota colonization, and how it influences the maturation of the infant immune system and health during the first 1000 days of life. This review will also address the influence of perinatal antibiotic intake and the importance of delivery mode and breastfeeding for an appropriate development of gut immunity.

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