The Effects of Maturation on the Colonic Microflora in Infancy and Childhood

Abstract

The composition of colonic mircoflora and its changes with maturation have rarely been investigated in large samples. Methods. We used conventional microbiological testing to analyse the colonic flora (Kyberstatus, Institut forMicroecology, Herborn, Germany) of stool samples from 12 484 children with different intestinal and nonintestinal diagnoses. Stool samples were analysed for total colony forming units (CFU) (per g stool) and the abundance of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides sp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., and Lactobacillus sp. with respect to age, gender. A subset of 1089 infants was analysed for monthly changes within the first year of life. Results. Total CFU and individual microbial species were highest during the first year of life, decreased within the first 2 years, and then stabilized for the remaining childhood. In infants, the total CFU rose until month 5, declined with weaning, and peaked at 9–10 months. Significant effects of age, but not of gender, were found in Bacteroides sp. and Lactobacilli. However Bacterioids sp. and Lactobacilli increased with age, while Enterococci and E. coli decreased, and Bifidobacteria remained stable. Conclusion. Colonic microflora show both a bacteria-specific and general pattern of maturation which is most profound within the first year.

Compositional and Functional Features of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Their Effects on Human Health

“…Bifidobacteria, specialized in the metabolism of milk oligosaccharides, are frequently among the earliest post-birth colonizers. As dietary richness and environmental exposures increase during the first year of life, the richness and complexity of the GI microbiome also increase (17, 18, 44, 45). This process is often characterized as chaotic (46), but cohort and longitudinal studies of the GI microbiome suggest that bacterial community richness increases steadily during the first year of life (17, 18).…”

Review of paediatric gastrointestinal physiology data relevant to oral drug delivery

“…Furthermore, an ill neonate may have no gastric emptying at all from the stomach, thereby making oral drug delivery non-viable [7,30]. Caecum --5.9 [12] 5.9 [12] 6-6.5 [5,11] Colon --5.9-6.5 [12] 5.9-6.5 [12] 7-7.5 [5,24,25] Rectum/faecal matter 4.4-7.2 [13] 5.9-10.9 [26,27] 6.5-12.1 [12,26,27] 6.5 [12] 6.7-7.8 [23,28] * Falls to 1.5-3 several hours after birth, the raises again to pH 6-7 [6-9] Stomach 54-82 min [32] 12-70 min [34] 12-70 min [34] 12-138 min [12] 5-120 min [5] Small Intestinal transit time…”

Intestinal microbiota and its relationship with diabetes and obesity

“…The most important of these factors is high-fat, high-protein diet [19]. Dysbiosis may be also caused by some drugs, such as antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (PPI), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), iron, methotrexate, and metformin.…”

“…PYY is a hormone that slows intestinal transit and thus increases the absorption of nutrients and production of energy. Its influence is currently being explored, as it may affect the development of obesity [19]. SCFAs are also signalling molecules.…”