Patterned progression of bacterial populations in the premature infant gut

Abstract

Significance It is increasingly apparent that bacteria in the gut are important determinants of health and disease in humans. However, we know remarkably little about how this organ transitions from a sterile/near-sterile state at birth to one that soon harbors a highly diverse biomass. We show in premature infants a patterned progression of the gut bacterial community that is only minimally influenced by mode of delivery, antibiotics, or feeds. The pace of this progression is most strongly influenced by gestational age, with the microbial population assembling slowest for infants born most prematurely. These data raise the possibility that host biology, more than exogenous factors such as antibiotics, feeds, and route of delivery, drives bacterial populations in the premature newborn infant gut.