Preterm birth alters the gut microbiota, metabolome and health outcomes of twins at 12 months of age.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Perinatal factors affect gut microbiota and infant health, but the combined impacts of preterm birth and chorionicity on gut microbiota, metabolism, and physical/neurobehavioral development in twins remain unclear.

Methods

A total of 143 twin families (12-month-old infants) were enrolled and divided into four groups by gestational age and chorionicity (dichorionic-diamniotic full-term/preterm, monochorionic-diamniotic full-term/preterm). Gut microbiota diversity and fecal metabolism were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests, generalized estimating equations, and twin-based ACE models were used for alpha diversity comparison, differential microbiota identification, and genetic/environmental contribution evaluatio

SUBMITTER: Mei H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12868185 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature