Abstract
The purpose was identify an association between meconium microbiome, extra-uterine growth restriction, and head circumference catch-up. Materials and methods: Prospective study with preterm infants born <33 weeks gestational age (GA), admitted at Neonatal Unit and attending the Follow-Up Preterm Program of a tertiary hospital. Excluded out born infants; presence of congenital malformations or genetic syndromes; congenital infections; HIV-positive mothers; and newborns whose parents or legal guardians did not authorize participation. Approved by the institution's ethics committee. Conducted 16S rRNA sequencing using PGM Ion Torrent meconium samples for microbiota analysis. Results: Included 63 newborns, GA 30±2.3 weeks, mean weight 1375.80±462.6 grams, 68.3% adequate weight for GA at birth. Polynucleobacter (p = 0.0163), Gp1 (p = 0.018), and Prevotella (p = 0.038) appeared in greater abundance in meconium of preterm infants with adequate birth weight for GA. Thirty (47.6%) children reached head circumference catch-up before 6 months CA and 33 (52.4%) after 6 months CA. Salmonella (p<0.001), Flavobacterium (p = 0.026), and Burkholderia (p = 0.026) were found to be more abundant in meconium in the group of newborns who achieved catch-up prior to 6th month CA. Conclusion: Meconium microbiome abundance was related to adequacy of weight for GA. Meconium microbiome differs between children who achieve head circumference catch-up by the 6th month of corrected age or after this period.
Highlights
The balance between the host and intestinal microbes is protective to health [1,2,3]
In order to better understand the differences of the gut microbiota in relation with the time of head circumference (HC) catch up, we explored the functional prediction of these communities, using PICRUSt [24]
Ardissone et al (2014) [31] found several taxonomic families within Firmicutes phylum correlated to gestational age, including Staphylococcus genus, which were most abundant among preterms born at
Summary
The balance between the host and intestinal microbes is protective to health [1,2,3]. For the microbiota to perform such tasks, the host must maintain a favorable gut environment. The mechanisms by which microbiota formation occurs via placenta and amniotic fluid are still not fully elucidated. Some studies support the hypothesis that fetal intestinal microbiome is derived from the swallowing of amniotic fluid containing bacteria [6, 7]. The mechanism related to this hypothesis is that maternal bacteria might translocate through maternal bloodstream, achieving other organs and systems, reaching amniotic fluid [8] Yet, more studies are needed in order to better elucidate mechanisms involved in microbiota formation via placenta and amniotic fluid [9, 10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
