Prospective assessment of the gastroesophageal microbiome in VLBW neonates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The distal GI microbiota of hospitalized preterm neonates has been established to be unique from that of healthy full-term infants; the proximal GI, more specifically gastroesophageal colonization has not been systematically addressed. We prospectively evaluated early colonization of gastroesophageal portion of the GI tract of VLBW infants.

Methods

This study involved 12 infants admitted to a level III NICU with gestational age (GA) 27 +/- 0.5 weeks and birth weight 1105 +/- 77 grams. The gastroesophageal microbial flora was evaluated using 16S rDNA analysis of aspirates collected in a sterile manner during the first 28 days of life.

Results

Bacteria were detected in 9 of the 12 neonates. Ureaplasma was the dominant species in the first week of life, howeve

SUBMITTER: Milisavljevic V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3623619 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature