Longitudinal analysis of oral microbiome changes during the neonatal period in full-term and preterm newborns.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The neonatal period is critical for oral microbiome establishment, but temporal patterns in preterm newborns remain unclear. This study examined longitudinal microbiome changes in full-term and preterm newborns and assessed perinatal and clinical influences.

Methods

Oral swabs were collected from 98 newborns (23 full-term, 75 preterm). Samples were obtained at birth and Day 2 for full-term, and at birth, Day 7, and Day 28 for preterm newborns. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze microbial diversity, taxonomic shifts, and virulence-related genes.

Results

Preterm newborns showed persistently lower α-diversity and delayed succession compared with full-term newborns. Full-term infants transitioned rapidly from Proteobacteria-dominant to Firmicutes- and

SUBMITTER: Lee T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12416025 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature