Decrease in intestinal microbiome diversity at birth is related to moderate and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a prevalent respiratory disorder in premature infants. Recent studies have revealed an association between the intestinal microbiome and respiratory diseases. This study aims to explore the characteristics of the gut microbiome of premature infants with moderate and severe BPD. METHODS: The study population consisted of preterm infants with a gestational age of ≤34 weeks. Infants with moderate and severe BPD were selected as the case group. Stool samples were collected at birth and 28 days after delivery. The obtained samples were processed using 16sRNA technology for diversity analysis, taxonomic composition, and LEfSe analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 15 infants were enrolled in the BPD group, while 15 infants were included as controls. At birth, the alpha diversity of the BPD group was significantly lower compared to the control group. Infants with severe BPD had even lower diversity. The relative abundance of Staphylococcus in the BPD group was higher, whereas Sphingomonas and Veillonella were the predominant species in the control group. Additionally, the severe BPD group exhibited a higher abundance of Bacillales and Oscillospiraceae compared to the moderate BPD group. At 28 days after birth, there was an increase in the abundance of Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Bifidobacterium compared with previous levels, and a decrease in the abundance of Herbaspirillum. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of intestinal microbiota in infants with moderate and severe BPD appears to be relatively lower, and specific microbial species such as Staphylococcus and Bacillales may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of BPD. The intestinal microbiota in infants with BPD interacts with the oxygen environment in the gut, and its early formation is influenced by maternal factors. These findings regarding the diversity and specific flora of gut microbiota could potentially offer insights into the pathogenesis of BPD.