Evaluation of fecal microbiome from preterm newborns submmited to colostroterapy, during their permance in a neonatal intensive unit care.

Abstract

Initial colonization of the human intestinal microbiota is of paramount importance, playing a key role in immune, nutritional, metabolic and neurological development. With breastfeeding, the newborn receives beneficial bacteria to the intestinal microbiota, in addition to oligossaharides, proteins, defense cells, among other components, that aid in neonatal health, and can prevent diseases and sepsis. Colostrum therapy is a safe, viable and well tolerated practice for even the youngest premature infants. Preliminary evidence supports the effect of colostrum therapy on reducing total enteral feeding time, lower incidence of sepsis, and increased secretory IgA. However, little is known about the development of the intestinal microbiota of preterm infants undergoing colostrum therapy. The present study aims to evaluate the evolution of the fecal microbiota and IgA of preterm newborns submitted to colostrum therapy. The study will be composed of two groups of preterm newborns at the Leonor Mendes de Barros Maternity Hospital, where one group will undergo colostrum therapy with raw colostrum from the mother herself, and the other group of newborns will receive pasteurized colostrum from the human milk bank of the unit. The evolution of the fecal microbiota colonization of the newborns will be evaluated by high throughput sequencing with the collection of fecal samples during colostrum therapy. Quantification of secretory IgA will be evaluated in breast milk as well as in faeces samples from infants throughout the study period. We hope to obtain results that prove the therapeutic value of colostrum in relation to the establishment of the intestinal microbiota of infants. (AU)