Despite the well-recognized importance of proper gut microbiota assembly for the child’s future health, the connections between the early-life gut microbiota and neurocognitive development in humans have not been thoroughly explored so far. In this pilot observational study, we aimed to unveil the relation between dynamic succession of the gut microbiota in very low birth weight infants during the first month of life and their neurodevelopment, assessed at 24-month corrected age. According to our data, the early-life gut microbiota of preterm infants with normal vs. impaired neurodevelopment followed distinct temporal trajectories with peculiar compositional rearrangements. In this context, early Bifidobacterium deficiency appears to be a negative biomarker of adverse neurological outcomes. Conclusion: Our data might pave the way for future in-depth studies focusing on the potential impact of bifidobacteria or specific microbiota patterns on neonatal neurodevelopment and lay the foundation for microbiome-based clinical practices to modulate altered profiles and improve long-term health.What is Known:• Preterm infants are at increased risk for adverse neurological outcomes and gut microbiota dysbiosis.• The gut microbiota and the nervous system share critical developmental windows in early life.What is New:• The absence of Bifidobacterium at 30 days of life in preterm infants is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in early childhood.• The administration of Bifidobacterium strains could promote optimal neurocognitive development in fragile infants.

Beghetti I., Barone M., Turroni S., Biagi E., Sansavini A., Brigidi P., et al. (2022). Early-life gut microbiota and neurodevelopment in preterm infants: any role for Bifidobacterium?. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, 181(4), 1773-1777 [10.1007/s00431-021-04327-1].

Early-life gut microbiota and neurodevelopment in preterm infants: any role for Bifidobacterium?

Beghetti I.;Barone M.;Turroni S.
;
Biagi E.;Sansavini A.;Brigidi P.;Corvaglia L.;Aceti A.
2022

Abstract

Despite the well-recognized importance of proper gut microbiota assembly for the child’s future health, the connections between the early-life gut microbiota and neurocognitive development in humans have not been thoroughly explored so far. In this pilot observational study, we aimed to unveil the relation between dynamic succession of the gut microbiota in very low birth weight infants during the first month of life and their neurodevelopment, assessed at 24-month corrected age. According to our data, the early-life gut microbiota of preterm infants with normal vs. impaired neurodevelopment followed distinct temporal trajectories with peculiar compositional rearrangements. In this context, early Bifidobacterium deficiency appears to be a negative biomarker of adverse neurological outcomes. Conclusion: Our data might pave the way for future in-depth studies focusing on the potential impact of bifidobacteria or specific microbiota patterns on neonatal neurodevelopment and lay the foundation for microbiome-based clinical practices to modulate altered profiles and improve long-term health.What is Known:• Preterm infants are at increased risk for adverse neurological outcomes and gut microbiota dysbiosis.• The gut microbiota and the nervous system share critical developmental windows in early life.What is New:• The absence of Bifidobacterium at 30 days of life in preterm infants is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in early childhood.• The administration of Bifidobacterium strains could promote optimal neurocognitive development in fragile infants.
2022
Beghetti I., Barone M., Turroni S., Biagi E., Sansavini A., Brigidi P., et al. (2022). Early-life gut microbiota and neurodevelopment in preterm infants: any role for Bifidobacterium?. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, 181(4), 1773-1777 [10.1007/s00431-021-04327-1].
Beghetti I.; Barone M.; Turroni S.; Biagi E.; Sansavini A.; Brigidi P.; Corvaglia L.; Aceti A.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Microbiota Neuro_EJP_R1.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipo: Postprint
Licenza: Licenza per accesso libero gratuito
Dimensione 1.16 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.16 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
431_2021_4327_MOESM1_ESM.docx

accesso aperto

Tipo: File Supplementare
Licenza: Licenza per accesso libero gratuito
Dimensione 22.07 kB
Formato Microsoft Word XML
22.07 kB Microsoft Word XML Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/882409
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 21
  • Scopus 24
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 25
social impact