Background

Aberrant gut microbiota composition in preterm neonates is linked to adverse health consequences. Little is known about the impact of perinatal factors or maternal gut microbiota on initial preterm gut colonization.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected from 55 preterm neonates (<35 gestational weeks), 51 mothers, and 25 full-term neonates during the first 3–4 postpartum days. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

Results

Preterm neonates exhibited significantly lower gut microbiota alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity clustering compared to term neonates. Spontaneous preterm birth was associated with distinct initial gut microbiota beta diversity as compared to iatrogenic delivery. Gestational age or delivery mode had no impact on the preterm gut microbiota composition. The cause of preterm delivery was also reflected in the maternal gut microbiota composition. The contribution of maternal gut microbiota to initial preterm gut colonization was more pronounced after spontaneous delivery than iatrogenic delivery and not dependent on delivery mode.

Conclusions

The initial preterm gut microbiota is distinct from term microbiota. Spontaneous preterm birth is reflected in the early neonatal and maternal gut microbiota. Transmission of gut microbes from mother to neonate is determined by spontaneous preterm delivery, but not by mode of birth.

Impact

• The initial gut microbiota in preterm neonates is distinct from those born full term. Spontaneous preterm birth is associated with changes in the gut microbiota composition of both preterm neonates and their mothers. The contribution of the maternal gut microbiota to initial neonatal gut colonization was more pronounced after spontaneous preterm delivery as compared to iatrogenic preterm delivery and not dependent on delivery mode.

• Our study provides new evidence regarding the early gut colonization patterns in preterm infants.

• Altered preterm gut microbiota has been linked to adverse health consequences and may provide a target for early intervention.

中文翻译：

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自发性早产反映在早期新生儿和母体肠道微生物群中

背景

早产儿肠道微生物群组成异常与不良健康后果有关。关于围产期因素或母体肠道微生物群对初始早产肠道定植的影响知之甚少。

方法

在产后头 3-4 天内，从 55 名早产新生儿（<35 孕周）、51 名母亲和 25 名足月新生儿中收集了粪便样本。使用 16S 核糖体 RNA 基因测序评估肠道微生物群组成。

结果

与足月新生儿相比，早产新生儿的肠道微生物群α多样性和明显的β多样性聚类显着降低。与医源性分娩相比，自发性早产与不同的初始肠道菌群 β 多样性相关。胎龄或分娩方式对早产儿肠道菌群组成没有影响。早产的原因也反映在母体肠道微生物群的组成中。母体肠道微生物群对初始早产肠道定植的贡献在自然分娩后比医源性分娩更为明显，并且不依赖于分娩方式。

结论

最初的早产肠道微生物群与足月微生物群不同。自发性早产反映在早期新生儿和产妇肠道微生物群中。肠道微生物从母亲到新生儿的传播是由自然早产决定的，而不是由出生方式决定的。

影响

• 早产新生儿的初始肠道微生物群与足月出生的新生儿不同。自发性早产与早产新生儿及其母亲肠道菌群组成的变化有关。与医源性早产相比，自发性早产后母体肠道微生物群对初始新生儿肠道定植的贡献更为明显，并且不依赖于分娩方式。

• 我们的研究提供了关于早产儿早期肠道定植模式的新证据。

• 早产儿肠道微生物群的改变与不良健康后果有关，可能为早期干预提供目标。