Mixed Flora; Infection Clinical Trial
Official title:
Gut Microbiome Study in Preterm Infants - a Norwegian Multi Centre Study
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants
in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It has been postulated that abnormal colonization
of the preterm gut, or an unfavorable balance between gut bacteria may contribute to the
development of NEC.
Recent clinical randomized studies and meta-analysis have shown that proactive colonization
of probiotic bacteria reduce the frequency of NEC. Based on this evidence, in April 2014 all
Norwegian NICUs started routinely administration of probiotics to all extremely premature
neonates susceptible to NEC (gestational age <28 weeks/birth weight <1000g).
The current project is investigating the gut microbiome in patients receiving probiotics and
compare the the gut microbiome with moderate premature infants not receiving probiotics. In
addition, we are including a control of healthy full-term infants.
Samples containing feces from participants will be analyzed by state of the art whole-genome
sequencing techniques. Bacterial diversity will be analysed with bioinformatic tools.
Study hypotheses:
- Probiotics given to extremely preterm infants will change the biodiversity of the gut
microflora.
- Antibiotics given to these patients may influence the gut microflora also in infants
receiving probiotics. In particular use of vancomycin may change the gut flora.
- After cessation of probiotic prophylaxis the gut flora of infants receiving probiotics
will gradually resemble the gut flora of infants not receiving probiotics.
- A cross-contamination of probiotic bacteria between patients treated with probiotics and
patients not treated with antibiotics may occur.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants
in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Prematurity is the most important risk factor for
NEC. The pathogenesis of NEC remains unclear, and prevention and treatment strategies are
limited. It has been postulated that abnormal colonization of the preterm gut, or an
unfavorable balance between gut bacteria, is significant in the pathogenesis of NEC.
Recent clinical randomized studies and meta-analysis have shown that proactive colonization
of probiotic bacteria reduce the frequency of NEC. Based on this evidence, in April 2014 all
Norwegian NICUs started routinely administration of probiotics to all extremely premature
neonates susceptible to NEC (gestational age (GA) <28 weeks/birth birth weight (BW) <1000 g).
The current project is investigating the gut microbiome in patients receiving probiotics and
compare the the gut microbiome with moderate premature infants not receiving probiotics. In
addition, we are including a control of healthy full-term infants.
Samples containing feces from participants will be analyzed by state of the art whole-genome
sequencing techniques. Bacterial diversity and taxonomy will be analysed using bioinformatic
tools
Inclusion criteria:
- Preterm infants 24-27 weeks gestation/ birth weight < 1000 g receiving probiotics
- Preterm infants 28-31 weeks gestation/BW 1000-1500 g not receiving probiotics
- Healthy term infants
Exclusion criteria
- Preterm infants < 24 weeks gestation
- Preterm infants < 32 weeks with severe lethal complication/poor prognosis around 1 week
of age
- Infants with severe congenital malformations
Fecal samples will be obtained:
- 1 week of age
- 4 weeks of age
- 4 months corrected age
- 12 months corrected age
Study hypotheses:
- Probiotics given to extremely preterm infants will change the biodiversity of the gut
microflora.
- Antibiotics given to these patients may influence the gut microflora also in infants
receiving probiotics. In particular use of vancomycin may change the gut flora.
- After cessation of probiotic prophylaxis the gut flora of infants receiving probiotics
will gradually resemble the gut flora of infants not receiving probiotics.
- A cross-contamination of probiotic bacteria between patients treated with probiotics and
patients not treated with antibiotics may occur.
This is an explorative study. No formal sample size assessment is possible. Sequencing costs
will be substantial. We will limit the number of participants to 26 x 2 preterm infants and
10 control healthy infants.
Six Norwegian Neonatal Intensive care units wil participate in the study.
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