Gastroenterology (Gut)

This paper discussed how intestinal microbiota plays a pivotal role in the growth of the immune system and in the prevention of diseases occurring during the neonatal period, childhood, and adulthood. They acknowledge that factors such as birth via caesareanThis is a surgical operation for delivering a baby by cutting through the wall of the mother's abdomen.  More section, long hospital stay and low gestational age may negatively affect the normal development of the gut flora. Click here to see the abstract.

Ficara, M., Pietrella, E., Spada, C., Della Casa Muttini, E., Lucaccioni, L., Iughetti, L. and Berardi, A., (2020) Changes of intestinal microbiota in early life. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 33:6 (1036-1043)

This paper discussed a survey conducted to evaluate the long-term impact of NEC (Necrotising Enterocolitis(NEC) Necrotising enterocolitis is a serious bacterial infection in the intestine. More) on physical and mental health, social experiences, and quality of life as self-reported by adult NEC survivors and parents of children who survived NEC. During the study they highlighted that NEC survivors described feeling doubted, disregarded, and isolated. They have recommended longitudinal follow-up studies beyond preschool age to better inform the long-term outcomes and life impacts of NEC. Click here to read the abstract.

Canavasser, J., Patal, R.M., Pryor E., et al., 2022. Long-Term Outcomes and Life-Impacts of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Survey of Survivors and Parents. Seminars in Perinatology, in press.

This paper has identified that the rate of increase and the magnitude of the changes of plasma gut hormones were higher for preterm infants. They discuss that this may be due to enteral/tube feeding. They highlight that gut hormones are important for gut growth, secretion, motility and metabolism. Click here to read the abstract.

Lucas, A., BLoom S.R. & Aynsley-Green A., 1982. Postnatal Surges in Plasma Gut Hormones in Term and Preterm Infants. Biology of the Neonate, 41 pg 63-67

This study’s findings suggests there is a critical window of early intervention to mature and improve the preterm infant microbiome to ultimately improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. Click to read the full paper.

Lu, J., Lu, L., Yu, Y., Oliphant, K., et al. 2022. Early preterm infant microbiome impacts adult learning. Scientific Reports. 12 (3310).

This paper acknowledges that neonatal diet is an important modifiable factor to help reduce the incidences of NEC (Necrotising Enterocolitis(NEC) Necrotising enterocolitis is a serious bacterial infection in the intestine. More). They have found that human milk (maternal or donor) is associated with reduced risk of NEC and infection. They go on to conclude that higher nutrient packed diet is associated with better cognitive outcomes in childhood. Click here to read the full article.

Lapidaire, W., Lucas, A., Clayden, J., et al. Human milk feeding and cognitive outcome in preterm infants: the role of infection and NEC reduction. Pediatric Research, 91, pg 1207-1214.

This review discusses that due to the reduced function/capacity of intestinal epithelial cells preterm infants are more vulnerable to infectious diseases and inflammation linked to NEC (Necrotising Enterocolitis(NEC) Necrotising enterocolitis is a serious bacterial infection in the intestine. More). They advise that growth factors, antibodies, cytokines, and immune cells present in breast milk can stimulate neonatal intestinal cells and protect premature infants, but they recommend further studies are completed to understand this link. Click here to read the full article.

Demers-Mathieu, V., 2022. The immature intestinal epithelial cells in preterm infants play a role in the necrotizing enterocolitis pathogenesis: A review. Health Sciences Review, 4 (100033)