Effect of different feeding methods and gut microbiota on premature infants and clinical outcomes

Abstract

Premature infants require special care, and clinical feeding methods for this patient group are generally divided into breastfeeding and formula milk. This retrospective study investigated the effects of these two feeding methods on premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between 2017 and 2018. Data regarding the duration of complete enteral feeding, weight gain, and postnatal infections were collected, categorized, and compared. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between the intestinal flora and clinical outcomes. Results revealed no differences between the two feeding methods, and neither had significant effects on clinical indicators in premature infants, although the gut microbiota may be an important factor influencing many clinical indicators. Results of this study suggest an important role for the gut microbiota in the care of premature infants and provide a basis for promoting the healthy development of this patient population.

Difference in the Intestinal Microbiota between Breastfeed Infants and Infants Fed with Artificial Milk: A Systematic Review

“…Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the mechanisms involved. In summary, breastfeeding reduces the risk of lung infections and late sepsis in PI, with significant implications of the gut flora in immune development [34]. The risk of necrotizing enterocolitis was lowered when human milk-based fortifier was used instead of cow's milk-based fortifier (risk ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.98) [87].…”

“…The first years of life are fundamental for the development and constitution of the microbiota. It is preferable to feed the infant with breast milk for the first six months of the life of the baby because the type of feeding can condition the bacteria composition and characteristics of microbiome [13,34,35] Human milk given by the mother is capable of shaping the advance and the constitution of viruses, bacteria, protists, archaea and fungi, collectively termed the microbiome, that occupy infant barrier surfaces [13,36,37] (Figure 1). The effects of breast milk on shaping the development of microbiome in infants due to antimicrobial/immune-stimulatory and nutritional maternal milk proteins are particularly evident in intestinal system [38][39][40].…”