Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation on the gut microbiota in extremely preterm infants in a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Magalí Martí, Johanne E Spreckels, Purnika Damindi Ranasinghe, Erik Wejryd, Giovanna Marchini, Eva Sverremark-Ekström, Maria C Jenmalm, Thomas Abrahamsson, Magalí Martí, Johanne E Spreckels, Purnika Damindi Ranasinghe, Erik Wejryd, Giovanna Marchini, Eva Sverremark-Ekström, Maria C Jenmalm, Thomas Abrahamsson
Abstract
Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants often develop an altered gut microbiota composition, which is related to clinical complications, such as necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis. Probiotic supplementation may reduce these complications, and modulation of the gut microbiome is a potential mechanism underlying the probiotic effectiveness. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation, from birth to post-menstrual week (PMW)36, on infant gut microbiota. We performed 16S amplicon sequencing in 558 stool samples from 132 ELBW preterm infants at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, PMW36, and 2 years. Probiotic supplementation results in increased bacterial diversity and increased L. reuteri abundance during the 1st month. At 1 week, probiotic supplementation also results in a lower abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcaceae. No effects were found at 2 years. In conclusion, probiotics may exert benefits by modulating the gut microbiota composition during the 1st month in ELBW infants.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01603368.
Keywords: Lactobacillus; Staphylococcus; extremely low birth weight infant; microbial diversity; microbiota; necrotizing enterocolitis; preterm infant; probiotic; randomized controlled trial; supplementation.
Conflict of interest statement
T.A. has received honoraria for lectures and a grant for the present trial from BioGaia AB. M.C.J. has received honoraria for lectures from BioGaia AB. E.S.-E. has received honoraria for lectures and a research grant from BioGaia AB.
© 2021 The Author(s).
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