A comprehensive study involving over 2,000 stool samples from infants in the UK has shed light on the early colonization of gut bacteria in newborns. The research, which offers fresh insights into the development of the infant microbiome, has identified three distinct bacterial profiles in baby poo.
Researchers were intrigued to discover that newborns’ fecal samples fell into three separate microbiological categories, each dominated by different “pioneer bacteria.” One type of bacteria, B. breve, appears to play a beneficial role by helping infants absorb nutrients from breast milk and potentially protecting against infections. On the other hand, another type of bacteria, E. faecalis, has been linked to an increased risk of infection in preliminary findings.
The study, published in Nature Microbiology, underscores the growing recognition of the microbiome’s impact on overall health. Despite this, there remains limited research on how a baby’s microbiome evolves in the initial days of life.
The research team, which includes scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University College London, and the University of Birmingham, analyzed stool samples from 1,288 healthy infants born in UK hospitals within the first month of life. The results showed that most samples clustered into three main profiles with varying bacterial dominance.
Bacteria from the B. breve and B. longum groups were identified as potentially beneficial, contributing to the effective use of breast milk nutrients. Conversely, E. faecalis was associated with a higher risk of infection.
Interestingly, the type of milk consumed—whether breast milk or formula—did not significantly influence the bacterial profiles found in the infants’ guts. However, babies whose mothers had received antibiotics during labor were more likely to carry E. faecalis. The long-term health implications of this are still uncertain.
Other factors, such as maternal age, ethnicity, and number of previous births, also appear to influence the developing microbiome. Further research is needed to understand the precise effects these microbes may have on long-term health.
Dr. Yan Shao from the Wellcome Sanger Institute remarked, “By analyzing high-resolution genomic data from over 1,200 babies, we’ve identified three key bacteria that shape the gut microbiota’s development, helping us categorize them into distinct infant microbiome profiles.”
Dr. Ruairi Robertson from Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the study, noted, “This research significantly enhances our understanding of gut microbiome development in early life, although translating this knowledge into targeted therapies remains a challenge.”
Prof. Louise Kenny from the University of Liverpool emphasized the complexity of decisions related to childbirth and infant feeding, stating, “Our understanding of how these factors influence microbiome development and subsequent health is still incomplete. This research is crucial in filling those gaps.”
The study is part of the ongoing UK Baby Biome project, funded by Wellcome and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Dr. Trevor Lawley, one of the authors and co-founder of a company focused on adult probiotics, also contributed to this research.
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