Impact of the method of delivery and feeding practice on the gut microbiome of infants in the postnatal period

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The increasing frequency of cesarean sections and artificial feeding creates a predisposition to allergic diseases, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Pathogenesis of these involves changes in the gut microbiome of infants.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the method of delivery and feeding practice on the gut microbiome of infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 103 infants aged 4-6 weeks (group 1: 39 infants born vaginally and breastfed; group 2: 10 infants born vaginally and formula-fed; group 3: 31 infants born by caesarean section and breastfed; group 4: 23 infants born by caesarean section and formula-fed), each of whom had stool collected for 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS: We found differences in the relative abundance of Akkermansia spp. [34.07 (29.29–38.85)% in group 4 and 0.01 (0.01–0.02)% in group 1; p = 0.011], Bifidobacterium spp. [30.68 (21.65–39.41)% in group 1 and 17.08 (9.86–21.68)% in group 4, (p = 0.002); 31.46 (24,30–52.97)% in group 3 and 17.08 (9.86–21.68)% in group 4 (p = 0.001)], and Enterococcus spp. [4.69 (1.01–8.59)% in group 3 and 0.58 (0.12–1.87)% in group 1 (p = 0.003); 4.29 (2.07–6.96)% in group 4 and 0.58 (0.12–1.87)% in group 1 (p = 0.001)]. The coefficient of correlation adaptometry was maximum for groups of infants who were breastfed. Analysis of the morbidity of infants in the first year of life revealed differences in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections between infants in groups 1 and 4 (17.9 and 78.3%, respectively; p = 0.0064), as well as groups 3 and 4 (32.2 and 78.3%, respectively; p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS: The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. depends on feeding practice to a greater extent than on the method of delivery. The method of delivery affects the relative abundance of opportunistic bacteria such as Enterococcus spp. Correlation analysis demonstrated the role of breastfeeding as a mechanism for “learning” and maturing the immune system of children.

Keywords

gut microbiome / neonatal period / natural childbirth / cesarean section / breastfeeding / artificial feeding

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