Study of Gut Microbiome Development in Preterm and Full-term Infants During Early Life

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the development of gut bacteria in preterm and full-term infants from birth to 90 days old. The goal is to understand how the gut microbiome forms over time in these two groups and to identify important clinical factors, like antibiotic use, that may influence this process. They believe that the gut bacteria in preterm infants differ in diversity and makeup from those in full-term infants, partly due to antibiotic exposure. The study involves analyzing stool samples from 51 preterm infants and 50 full-term infants. These samples will undergo genetic sequencing to examine bacterial profiles, focusing on the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Researchers will compare the major bacterial groups over time while adjusting for factors such as gestational age and antibiotic use. This is an observational study that follows infants early in life without administering treatments. Participants will provide stool samples that are analyzed for changes in gut bacteria from birth up to 90 days of age. The primary focus is to track how the microbiome changes over time and how antibiotic treatments relate to these changes. The study includes infants born prematurely before 37 weeks and full-term infants born after 37 weeks via vaginal delivery. The total participation period covers the early months of life, with ongoing monitoring of microbial development.

Gut Microbiota of Preterm Infants and Full-term Infants at Early Life