A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate
Background: Researchers have established that the preterm neonate is born with an immature gastrointestinal tract. The preterm neonate is thus susceptible to various complications often seen in the neonatal intensive care unit, e.g., feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acqu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Dietetics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0311/2/4/22 |
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| author | Marwyn Sowden Evette van Niekerk Andre Nyandwe Hamama Bulabula Mirjam Maria van Weissenbruch |
| author_facet | Marwyn Sowden Evette van Niekerk Andre Nyandwe Hamama Bulabula Mirjam Maria van Weissenbruch |
| author_sort | Marwyn Sowden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Researchers have established that the preterm neonate is born with an immature gastrointestinal tract. The preterm neonate is thus susceptible to various complications often seen in the neonatal intensive care unit, e.g., feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. These complications can be life-threatening, and if survived, can have an unfavorable effect on the neonate’s growth and development. Aim: The aims of this narrative review article were to provide an in-depth understanding of the various factors contributing to the development of the preterm neonatal microbiome. Further, we reviewed gastrointestinal microbiome dysbiosis and its potential role in the development of feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Lastly, we described the potential role of probiotics in this vulnerable population. Methods: A PubMed database search was conducted identifying articles that describe the development and function of the neonatal microbiome, the role of gastrointestinal dysbiosis, and the development of neonatal complications as well as the role of probiotics in gastrointestinal dysbiosis. Results: Various maternal, neonatal, and environmental factors play a role in the development of gastrointestinal dysbiosis in the preterm neonate. This can lead to feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Discussion: The pathogenesis of the development of short-term complications in the preterm neonate can be linked to the immaturity of the host immune system as well as alterations seen in the intestinal microbiome. There is a growing body of evidence that probiotics can play a role in preventing dysbiosis and thus complications observed in the preterm neonate. However, the optimal combination of probiotic strains and dosage still needs to be identified. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:51:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-68a480c0ca79439c812ba1041a1b8bf6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2674-0311 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:51:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dietetics |
| spelling | doaj.art-68a480c0ca79439c812ba1041a1b8bf62023-12-22T14:03:21ZengMDPI AGDietetics2674-03112023-10-012430832010.3390/dietetics2040022A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm NeonateMarwyn Sowden0Evette van Niekerk1Andre Nyandwe Hamama Bulabula2Mirjam Maria van Weissenbruch3Department of Global Health, Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South AfricaDepartment of Global Health, Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South AfricaCentre of Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu P.O. Box 285, Democratic Republic of the CongoAmsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital Division IC Neonatology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsBackground: Researchers have established that the preterm neonate is born with an immature gastrointestinal tract. The preterm neonate is thus susceptible to various complications often seen in the neonatal intensive care unit, e.g., feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. These complications can be life-threatening, and if survived, can have an unfavorable effect on the neonate’s growth and development. Aim: The aims of this narrative review article were to provide an in-depth understanding of the various factors contributing to the development of the preterm neonatal microbiome. Further, we reviewed gastrointestinal microbiome dysbiosis and its potential role in the development of feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Lastly, we described the potential role of probiotics in this vulnerable population. Methods: A PubMed database search was conducted identifying articles that describe the development and function of the neonatal microbiome, the role of gastrointestinal dysbiosis, and the development of neonatal complications as well as the role of probiotics in gastrointestinal dysbiosis. Results: Various maternal, neonatal, and environmental factors play a role in the development of gastrointestinal dysbiosis in the preterm neonate. This can lead to feeding intolerances, necrotizing enterocolitis, and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Discussion: The pathogenesis of the development of short-term complications in the preterm neonate can be linked to the immaturity of the host immune system as well as alterations seen in the intestinal microbiome. There is a growing body of evidence that probiotics can play a role in preventing dysbiosis and thus complications observed in the preterm neonate. However, the optimal combination of probiotic strains and dosage still needs to be identified.https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0311/2/4/22microbiomepreterm neonatedysbiosisprobiotics |
| spellingShingle | Marwyn Sowden Evette van Niekerk Andre Nyandwe Hamama Bulabula Mirjam Maria van Weissenbruch A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate Dietetics microbiome preterm neonate dysbiosis probiotics |
| title | A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate |
| title_full | A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate |
| title_fullStr | A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate |
| title_short | A Narrative Review of the Tale of the Dysbiotic Microbiome in the Preterm Neonate |
| title_sort | narrative review of the tale of the dysbiotic microbiome in the preterm neonate |
| topic | microbiome preterm neonate dysbiosis probiotics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0311/2/4/22 |
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