Pediatr Res. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04326-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the proposed association of early gut microbiota composition and the risk of respiratory tract infections (RTI) in infants from prospective studies.
METHODS: We investigated the maternal and infant gut microbiota in infants prospectively followed up for their RTIs in the HELMi cohort from Helsinki, Finland. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon data was assessed at weeks 3 and 6 from 461 infants, of whom 178 developed RTIs within 3 and 6 months of life. Fecal samples collected near the due date were available from 261 mothers.
RESULTS: There was no difference in the maternal or early infant gut microbiota in the overall microbiota composition in alpha or beta diversity between infants with or without RTIs within the first 3 and 6 months of life. The relative abundances of adult-type butyrate producers and some Enterobacteriaceae were significantly more higher at 3 and to some extent also at 6 weeks of age in the infection group compared to controls, while their mothers’ microbiota was significantly enriched with Enterococcus, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter spp., and Clostridium being less abundant.
CONCLUSION: The maternal and early-life infant gut microbiota may play a role in predisposition to RTIs in infants.
IMPACT: The maternal and early-life infant gut microbiota profile was associated with infants’ respiratory tract infections within the first 6 months of life. In infants, the higher abundance of adult-type butyrate producers and some Enterobacteriaceae were associated with respiratory tract infections, while mothers’ microbiota was significantly enriched with Enterococcus, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter spp. in the group of infants with infections. The results indicate that maternal and infant gut microbiota may play a role in predisposing an infant to infections during early life. Further studies are warranted on how this link is mediated.
PMID:40836109 | DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-04326-0
