Gut Bacteria and Brain of the Baby: to Link up the Dynamic of Gut Colonization in Preterms Born at Gestational Age of 30-326/7 Weeks and Their Psychomotor Development at 2 Years

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying premature babies born between 30 and 32 6/7 weeks of gestation to understand how gut bacteria affect their brain development and psychomotor skills by the age of 2 years. This French population-based study will follow about 100 moderate preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Rennes Hospital. The goal is to link the dynamic of gut colonization with the baby's development using surveys and biological samples. The study involves collecting environmental data about the baby and mother, including maternal nutrition and social factors, mode of delivery, birth weight, feeding methods, and antibiotic treatments. Researchers will collect maternal feces samples weekly during the baby's hospitalization and infant feces samples from birth through 2 years of corrected age. Parents will complete food questionnaires at several points during the baby's first two years, and a milk sample from the baby at about 7 days old will be collected. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) will be completed by parents at 2 years to assess psychomotor development. Participants will be followed longitudinally until 2 years corrected age through pediatric check-ups where collected data and samples will be reviewed. The study will measure the association between gut microbial profiles and psychomotor outcomes using the ASQ at 2 years. Secondary assessments include interactions between maternal and neonatal microbiotas, dietary profiles, and milk composition. Continuous monitoring and data collection will provide insights into how early gut colonization relates to later development in preterm infants.

Gut Bacteria and Brain of the Baby