Gestational age, mode of birth and breastmilk feeding all influence acute early childhood gastroenteritis: a record-linkage cohort study

Early life adverse exposures in irritable bowel syndrome: new insights and opportunities

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. Extensive research has identified multiple factors contributing to its development, including genetic predisposition, chronic infection, gut dysbiosis, aberrant serotonin metabolism, and brain dysfunction. Recent studies have emphasized the critical role of the early life stage as a susceptibility window for IBS. Current evidence suggests that diet can heighten the risk of IBS in offspring by influencing the microbiota composition, intestinal epithelium structure, gene expression, and brain-gut axis. The use of antibiotics during pregnancy and the neonatal period disrupts the normal gut microbiota structure, aligning it with the characteristics observed in IBS patients. Additionally, early life stress impacts susceptibility to IBS by modulating TLR4, NK1, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis while compromising the offspring's immune system. Formula feeding facilitates the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines, concurrently reducing the presence of probiotics. This disruption of the Th1 and Th2 cell balance in the immune system weakens the intestinal epithelial barrier. Furthermore, studies suggest that delivery mode influences the occurrence of IBS by altering the composition of gut microbes. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the existing evidence regarding the impact of adverse early life exposures on IBS during pregnancy, intrapartum, and neonatal period. By consolidating this knowledge, the review enhances our understanding of the direct and indirect mechanisms underlying early life-related IBS and offers new insights and research directions from childhood to adulthood.

Uncharted territory: a narrative review of parental involvement in decision-making about late preterm and early term delivery

Almost 30% of live births in England and Wales occur late preterm or early term (LPET) and are associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes throughout the lifespan. However, very little is known about the decision-making processes concerning planned LPET births or the involvement of parents in these. This aim of this paper is to review the evidence on parental involvement in obstetric decision-making in general, to consider what can be extrapolated to decisions about LPET delivery, and to suggest directions for further research.A comprehensive, narrative review of relevant literature was conducted using Medline, MIDIRS, PsycInfo and CINAHL databases. Appropriate search terms were combined with Boolean operators to ensure the following broad areas were included: obstetric decision-making, parental involvement, late preterm and early term birth, and mode of delivery.This review suggests that parents' preferences with respect to their inclusion in decision-making vary. Most mothers prefer sharing decision-making with their clinicians and up to half are dissatisfied with the extent of their involvement. Clinicians' opinions on the limits of parental involvement, especially where the safety of mother or baby is potentially compromised, are highly influential in the obstetric decision-making process. Other important factors include contextual factors (such as the nature of the issue under discussion and the presence or absence of relevant medical indications for a requested intervention), demographic and other individual characteristics (such as ethnicity and parity), the quality of communication; and the information provided to parents.This review highlights the overarching need to explore how decisions about potential LPET delivery may be reached in order to maximise the satisfaction of mothers and fathers with their involvement in the decision-making process whilst simultaneously enabling clinicians both to minimise the number of LPET births and to optimise the wellbeing of women and babies.

Defining the Relationship of Gut Microbiota, Immunity, and Cognition in Early Life-A Narrative Review

Recently, the immune system has been identified as one of the possible main bridges which connect the gut-brain axis. This review aims to examine available evidence on the microbiota-immunity-cognitive relationship and its possible effects on human health early in life. This review was assembled by compiling and analyzing various literature and publications that document the gut microbiota-immune system-cognition interaction and its implications in the pediatric population. This review shows that the gut microbiota is a pivotal component of gut physiology, with its development being influenced by a variety of factors and, in return, supports the development of overall health. Findings from current research focus on the complex relationship between the central nervous system, gut (along with gut microbiota), and immune cells, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced interaction among these systems for preserving homeostasis, and demonstrating the influence of gut microbes on neurogenesis, myelin formation, the potential for dysbiosis, and alterations in immune and cognitive functions. While limited, evidence shows how gut microbiota affects innate and adaptive immunity as well as cognition (through HPA axis, metabolites, vagal nerve, neurotransmitter, and myelination).

Supplementation With Fish Oil in Pregnancy Reduces Gastroenteritis in Early Childhood

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that insufficient intake of fish oil-derived omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) during pregnancy is a contributing factor to gastroenteritis in early childhood. We examined the effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on gastroenteritis symptoms in the offspring's first 3 years of life.

METHODS

This was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial whereby 736 mothers were administered n-3 LCPUFA or control from pregnancy week 24 until 1 week after birth. We measured the number of days with gastroenteritis, number of episodes with gastroenteritis, and the risk of having a gastroenteritis episode in the first 3 years of life.

RESULTS

A median reduction of 2.5 days with gastroenteritis (P = .018) was shown, corresponding to a 14% reduction in the n-3 LCPUFA group compared with controls in the first 3 years of life (P = .037). A reduction in the number of gastroenteritis episodes (P = .027) and a reduced risk of having an episode (hazard ratio, 0.80 [95% confidence interval, .66-.97]; P = .023) were also shown.

CONCLUSIONS

Fish oil supplementation from the 24th week of pregnancy led to a reduction in the number of days and episodes with gastroenteritis symptoms in the first 3 years of life. The findings suggest n-3 LCPUFA supplementation as a preventive measure against gastrointestinal infections in early childhood.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT00798226.

Maternal provisions in type 1 diabetes: Evidence for both protective & pathogenic potential

Maternal influences on the immune health and development of an infant begin in utero and continue well into the postnatal period, shaping and educating the child's maturing immune system. Two maternal provisions include early microbial colonizers to initiate microbiota establishment and the transfer of antibodies from mother to baby. Maternal antibodies are a result of a lifetime of antigenic experience, reflecting the infection history, health and environmental exposure of the mother. These same factors are strong influencers of the microbiota, inexorably linking the two. Together, these provisions help to educate the developing neonatal immune system and shape lymphocyte repertoires, establishing a role for external environmental influences even before birth. In the context of autoimmunity, the transfer of maternal autoantibodies has the potential to be harmful for the child, sometimes targeting tissues and cells with devastating consequences. Curiously, this does not seem to apply to maternal autoantibody transfer in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Moreover, despite the rising prevalence of the disease, little research has been conducted on the effects of maternal dysbiosis or antibody transfer from an affected mother to her offspring and thus their relevance to disease development in the offspring remains unclear. This review seeks to provide a thorough evaluation of the role of maternal microorganisms and antibodies within the context of T1D, exploring both their pathogenic and protective potential. Although a definitive understanding of their significance in infant T1D development remains elusive at present, we endeavor to present what has been learned with the goal of spurring further interest in this important and intriguing question.

Beneficial Effects of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716 Administration to Infants Delivered by Cesarean Section

Cesarean section (CS) disrupts the natural microbiota colonization process in infants, which might compromise immune system maturation, leading to a higher risk of infections. We evaluated the effect of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus (L.) fermentum CECT 5716 on the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in the CS infant subgroups (n = 173) of three randomized clinical trials in which this probiotic strain was demonstrated to be safe and effective for preventing infections. Therefore, the data for the CS infants were extracted to obtain the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% CI for gastrointestinal and respiratory infections for each study and were then combined to obtain a pooled IRR and 95% CI using the generic inverse variance method. There was a significant reduction of 73% in the incidence of gastrointestinal infections in CS infants receiving L. fermentum CECT 5716 compared with those receiving the control formula [n = 173, IRR: 0.27 (0.13, 0.53), p = 0.0002]. Regarding respiratory infections, although pooled results showed a reduction of 14% in the probiotic group, the difference was not statistically significant [n = 173, IRR (95% CI): 0.86 (0.67, 1.11), p = 0.25]. In conclusion, the administration of L. fermentum CECT 5716 to CS-born infants protects them from gastrointestinal infections by reducing the risk by up to 73% in this population.

Persistence of G10P[11] neonatal rotavirus infections in southern India

Background:

Neonatal rotavirus infections are predominantly caused by distinct genotypes restricted to this age-group and are mostly asymptomatic.

Method:

Stool samples from neonates admitted for >48 h in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Vellore (2014–2015) and Chennai (2015–2016) in southern India, and from neonates born at hospitals in Vellore but not admitted to NICUs (2015–2016) were tested for rotavirus by ELISA and genotyped by hemi-nested RT-PCR.

Results:

Of 791 neonates, 150 and 336 were recruited from Vellore and Chennai NICUs, and 305 were born in five hospitals in Vellore. Positivity rates in the three settings were 49.3% (74/150), 29.5% (99/336) and 54% (164/305), respectively. G10P[11] was the commonly identified genotype in 87.8% (65/74), 94.9% (94/99) and 98.2% (161/164) of the neonates in Vellore and Chennai NICUs, and those born at Vellore hospitals, respectively. Neonates delivered by lower segment cesarian section (LSCS) at Vellore hospitals, not admitted to NICUs, had a significantly higher odds of acquiring rotavirus infection compared to those delivered vaginally [p = 0.002, OR = 2.4 (1.4–4.3)].

Conclusions:

This report demonstrates the persistence of G10P[11] strain in Vellore and Chennai, indicating widespread neonatal G10P[11] strain in southern India and their persistence over two decades, leading to interesting questions about strain stability.

Associations between gestational age at birth and infection-related hospital admission rates during childhood in England: Population-based record linkage study

BACKGROUND

Children born preterm (<37 completed weeks' gestation) have a higher risk of infection-related morbidity than those born at term. However, few large, population-based studies have investigated the risk of infection in childhood across the full spectrum of gestational age. The objectives of this study were to explore the association between gestational age at birth and infection-related hospital admissions up to the age of 10 years, how infection-related hospital admission rates change throughout childhood, and whether being born small for gestational age (SGA) modifies this relationship.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Using a population-based, record-linkage cohort study design, birth registrations, birth notifications and hospital admissions were linked using a deterministic algorithm. The study population included all live, singleton births occurring in NHS hospitals in England from January 2005 to December 2006 (n = 1,018,136). The primary outcome was all infection-related inpatient hospital admissions from birth to 10 years of age, death or study end (March 2015). The secondary outcome was the type of infection-related hospital admission, grouped into broad categories. Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate adjusted rate ratios (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each gestational age category (<28, 28-29, 30-31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 weeks) and the models were repeated by age at admission (<1, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-10 years). An interaction term was included in the model to test whether SGA status modified the relationship between gestational age and infection-related hospital admissions. Gestational age was strongly associated with rates of infection-related hospital admissions throughout childhood. Whilst the relationship attenuated over time, at 7-10 years of age those born before 40 weeks gestation were still significantly higher in comparison to those born at 40 weeks. Children born <28 weeks had an aRR of 6.53 (5.91-7.22) during infancy, declining to 3.16 (2.50-3.99) at ages 7-10 years, in comparison to those born at 40 weeks; whilst in children born at 38 weeks, the aRRs were 1·24 (1.21-1.27) and 1·18 (1.13-1.23), during infancy and aged 7-10 years, respectively. SGA status modified the effect of gestational age (interaction P<0.0001), with the highest rate among the children born at <28 weeks and SGA. Finally, study findings indicated that the associations with gestational age varied by subgroup of infection. Whilst upper respiratory tract infections were the most common type of infection experienced by children in this cohort, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) (<28 weeks, aRR = 10.61(9.55-11.79)) and invasive bacterial infections (<28 weeks, aRR = 6.02 (4.56-7.95)) were the most strongly associated with gestational age at birth. Of LRTIs experienced, bronchiolitis (<28 weeks, aRR = 11.86 (10.20-13.80)), and pneumonia (<28 weeks, aRR = 9.49 (7.95-11.32)) were the most common causes.

CONCLUSIONS

Gestational age at birth was strongly associated with rates of infection-related hospital admissions during childhood and even children born a few weeks early remained at higher risk at 7-10 years of age. There was variation between clinical subgroups in the strength of relationships with gestational age. Effective infection prevention strategies should include focus on reducing the number and severity of LRTIs during early childhood.

Are there adverse outcomes for child health and development following caesarean section delivery? Can we justify using elective caesarean section to prevent obstetric pelvic floor damage?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Elective pre-labour Caesarean section (CS) delivery is widely regarded as the panacea for all pelvic floor dysfunction despite substantial epidemiological evidence that it is only partially protective. To demand a CS is also considered a right for the well-counselled patient, even without an elevated risk of incontinence or prolapse. In recent years there has been increasing data on possible adverse health outcomes for children delivered by CS over those delivered vaginally. This includes respiratory illness, atopic conditions, obesity, diabetes and other severe auto-immune diseases. Concern has also been raised over possible impacts on cognitive and neuropsychological development in these children. Often the response has been to dismiss these outcomes as a result of the indication for the CS birth such as antenatal compromise or maternal disease. However the marked increase in non-medical Caesarean delivery throughout many regions of the world has allowed us to better distinguish these contributing factors.

METHODS

This narrative review looks at some of the more recent evidence on adverse health and developmental outcomes associated with CS, particularly pre-labour CS and the implications for the long term health of our society.

RESULTS

Epidemiological studies and animal research indicate an increased risk of negative impacts on child physical health and neuro-cognitive development aftercaesarean section delivery, particularly pre-labour Caesarean section, compared with vaginal delivery. This elevated risk persists after correction forobstetric and maternal factors.

CONCLUSION

Caesarean section delivery can result in adverse outcomes for infant, maternal and societal wellbeing. Elective Caesarean section, purely to potentially minimise pelvic floor dysfunction, cannot be justified.

Association of Cesarean Delivery with Childhood Hospitalization for Infections Before 13 Years of Age

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between cesarean delivery and childhood infections up to 13 years of age.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 731 803 children born between 2006 and 2016 at all hospitals in the province of Quebec, Canada. We followed children born by cesarean, operative vaginal, and nonoperative vaginal delivery up to 13 years of age. Outcomes included hospitalization for otitis media, respiratory, infectious enteritis, and other infections. We estimated hazard ratios with 95% CIs for the association between mode of delivery and childhood infections, adjusted for patient characteristics.

RESULTS

At age 3-4 years, cesarean delivery was associated with a 1.07-fold greater risk of otitis media (95% CI, 1.03-1.11), a 1.15-fold greater risk of respiratory infection (95% CI, 1.09-1.22), and a 1.13-fold greater risk of infectious enteritis (95% CI, 1.03-1.25) compared with nonoperative vaginal delivery. However, operative vaginal delivery was associated with these same outcomes. Both cesarean and operative vaginal delivery were more strongly associated with infection hospitalization before age 1 year, but associations disappeared after 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Cesarean delivery is associated with infection hospitalization before but not after age 5 years. However, associations were also present for operative vaginal delivery, which suggests that mechanisms other than exposure to maternal vaginal flora explain the relationship.

Gestational age and hospital admissions during childhood: population based, record linkage study in England (TIGAR study)

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between gestational age at birth and hospital admissions to age 10 years and how admission rates change throughout childhood.

DESIGN

Population based, record linkage, cohort study in England.

SETTING

NHS hospitals in England, United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

1 018 136 live, singleton births in NHS hospitals in England between January 2005 and December 2006.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was all inpatient hospital admissions from birth to age 10, death, or study end (March 2015); secondary outcome was the main cause of admission, which was defined as the World Health Organization's first international classification of diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) code within each hospital admission record.

RESULTS

1 315 338 admissions occurred between 1 January 2005 and 31 March 2015, and 831 729 (63%) were emergency admissions. 525 039 (52%) of 1 018 136 children were admitted to hospital at least once during the study period. Hospital admissions during childhood were strongly associated with gestational age at birth (<28, 28-29, 30-31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 weeks). In comparison with children born at full term (40 weeks' gestation), those born extremely preterm (<28 weeks) had the highest rate of hospital admission throughout childhood (adjusted rate ratio 4.92, 95% confidence interval 4.58 to 5.30). Even children born at 38 weeks had a higher rate of hospital admission throughout childhood (1.19, 1.16 to 1.22). The association between gestational age and hospital admission decreased with increasing age (interaction P<0.001). Children born earlier than 28 weeks had an adjusted rate ratio of 6.34 (95% confidence interval 5.80 to 6.85) at age less than 1 year, declining to 3.28 (2.82 to 3.82) at ages 7-10, in comparison with those born full term; whereas in children born at 38 weeks, the adjusted rate ratios were 1.29 (1.27 to 1.31) and 1.16 (1.13 to 1.19), during infancy and ages 7-10, respectively. Infection was the main cause of excess hospital admissions at all ages, but particularly during infancy. Respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions also accounted for a large proportion of admissions during the first two years of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between gestational age and hospital admission rates decreased with age, but an excess risk remained throughout childhood, even among children born at 38 and 39 weeks of gestation. Strategies aimed at the prevention and management of childhood infections should target children born preterm and those born a few weeks early.

Mode of birth and risk of infection-related hospitalisation in childhood: A population cohort study of 7.17 million births from 4 high-income countries

BACKGROUND

The proportion of births via cesarean section (CS) varies worldwide and in many countries exceeds WHO-recommended rates. Long-term health outcomes for children born by CS are poorly understood, but limited data suggest that CS is associated with increased infection-related hospitalisation. We investigated the relationship between mode of birth and childhood infection-related hospitalisation in high-income countries with varying CS rates.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a multicountry population-based cohort study of all recorded singleton live births from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2015 using record-linked birth and hospitalisation data from Denmark, Scotland, England, and Australia (New South Wales and Western Australia). Birth years within the date range varied by site, but data were available from at least 2001 to 2010 for each site. Mode of birth was categorised as vaginal or CS (emergency/elective). Infection-related hospitalisations (overall and by clinical type) occurring after the birth-related discharge date were identified in children until 5 years of age by primary/secondary International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes. Analysis used Cox regression models, adjusting for maternal factors, birth parameters, and socioeconomic status, with results pooled using meta-analysis. In total, 7,174,787 live recorded births were included. Of these, 1,681,966 (23%, range by jurisdiction 17%-29%) were by CS, of which 727,755 (43%, range 38%-57%) were elective. A total of 1,502,537 offspring (21%) had at least 1 infection-related hospitalisation. Compared to vaginally born children, risk of infection was greater among CS-born children (hazard ratio (HR) from random effects model, HR 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.12, p < 0.001). The risk was higher following both elective (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.12-1.13, p < 0.001) and emergency CS (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06-1.12, p < 0.001). Increased risks persisted to 5 years and were highest for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and viral infections. Findings were comparable in prespecified subanalyses of children born to mothers at low obstetric risk and unchanged in sensitivity analyses. Limitations include site-specific and longitudinal variations in clinical practice and in the definition and availability of some data. Data on postnatal factors were not available.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed a consistent association between birth by CS and infection-related hospitalisation in early childhood. Notwithstanding the limitations of observational data, the associations may reflect differences in early microbial exposure by mode of birth, which should be investigated by mechanistic studies. If our findings are confirmed, they could inform efforts to reduce elective CS rates that are not clinically indicated.

Delivery mode and future infectious morbidity of the offspring: a sibling analysis

PURPOSE

Cesarean delivery (CD) has been recently suggested to be associated with offspring's long-term health implications. We aimed to investigate the association between delivery mode and long-term infectious morbidity of the offspring while employing sibling matched analysis to maximize confounder control.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based cohort study was performed, which included all sibling deliveries occurring between 1991 and 2014 at a regional tertiary medical center. Offsprings were followed up until the age of 18 years. The study included 13,516 individuals (6758 sibling pairs): the first born was via vaginal delivery and the second via CD. Each siblings pair was considered a matched set, with the aim to perform a within-family analysis. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the cumulative infectious morbidity incidence and a multivariable Cox survival hazards regression model to control for confounders.

RESULTS

Crude rates of total infectious hospitalizations were found to be significantly higher in the CD group (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12-1.40). Specifically, bronchiolitis (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.56-2.63), otitis (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21-1.9), and gastroenteritis (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05-1.9) were all found to be significantly more common in the CD group. The survival curve demonstrated significantly higher cumulative infection-related hospitalization rates in the CD group (log-rank p < 0.001). The Cox model, adjusted for several confounders, confirmed the significant association between CD and offspring's infection-related morbidity (adjusted HR 1.25; 95% CI 1.02-1.53).

CONCLUSION

CD appears to be independently associated with later offspring infection-related morbidity, even while rigorously adjusting for confounders.

Formula feeding increases the risk of antibiotic prescriptions in children up to 2 years: results from a cohort study

Association between the use of infant formula and risks for infants' health is seldom studied in western countries. We set up a historical cohort based on record linkage analysis, combining the data from administrative databases providing individual data. Infants receiving the second dose of pediatric immunization between 2015 and 2017 were included. The main outcome measure was antibiotic prescriptions from enrolment up to 24 months of age, by infant feeding category at enrolment. The extended Cox regression technique was used to account for recurrent events. The infants' cohort included 40,258 5-month-old infants; during the study period, 60,932 antibiotic prescriptions were filled. Compared with infants fully breastfed, children fed with both maternal milk and formula received 106 more antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children/year, whereas infants receiving formula only had 138 excess prescriptions per 1000 children/year. The association with infant feeding was statistically significant and remained unchanged after adjustment for common confounders (adjusted hazard ratio, HR, for complementary feeding vs full breastfeeding 1.09; 95%CI 1.05 to 1.12; formula only versus full breastfeeding adj. HR 1.12; 95%CI 1.08 to 1.16).Conclusion: In our cohort, we observed a positive association between infant formula use considered a proxy of infections antibiotic prescription rate, considered a proxy of infections. The association followed a gradient.What is Known:• Formula feeding is associated with increased morbidity and mortality even in western countries, but still, it is common.• Information on formula are seldom unbiased; thus, public perception of risks is distorted.What is New:• In a large Italian cohort of infants, formula feeding at 5 months of age results to be associated with an increased rate of antibiotic prescription (considered to be a proxy of infection) up to 24 months of age: the association follows a dose-response relationship.• Record linkage analysis using administrative databases provides useful information at a limited cost.

Family income and exposure to norovirus in childhood: Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

Children from low income families are at greater risk of poorer health outcomes than their wealthier peers. Hospital admissions for children with gastroenteritis increase as deprivation increases. Noroviruses are responsible for 47-96% of outbreaks of acute paediatric gastroenteritis, and 5-36% of sporadic cases worldwide. However, evidence on the relationship between family income and childhood exposure to norovirus is still limited, with published studies pointing to conflicting results. This study explored the relationship between family income and early childhood exposure to norovirus in the United Kingdom using data from the Millennium Cohort Study linked to serological data. Exposure to norovirus was measured by the level of human norovirus-specific antibodies (titres) obtained from oral fluid samples collected from 5962 pre-school age UK children and tested for Norovirus-specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG). Multivariable linear and quantile regression analyses were conducted to investigate the extent to which family income was associated with child norovirus exposure, and to explore the potential mechanisms through which income might translate into norovirus exposure. Higher norovirus-specific IgG titres were associated with higher family income, but the relationship weakened after controlling for potential mediating factors, mainly increased opportunities for person-to-person contacts, such as formal childcare arrangements. This study provides novel evidence that can help inform and prioritise policy interventions (e.g. vaccination) and health promotion programmes to reduce child health inequalities in the area of gastrointestinal infections.

Effect of Early Limited Formula on Breastfeeding Duration in the First Year of Life: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Breastfeeding through 6 and 12 months are 2 goals of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy People 2020 initiative, but the 6-month goal is met for only 52% of US infants and the 12-month goal for 30% of US infants.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether structured, short-term formula supplementation for at-risk neonates affects the proportion still breastfeeding at 6 and 12 months.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This randomized clinical trial conducted at 2 US academic medical centers enrolled 164 exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant dyads of mothers who were not yet producing copious milk and infants who were 24 to 72 hours old with newborn weight loss at or above the 75th percentile for age. Participants were enrolled from January 2015 through September 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

Early Limited Formula (ELF), a structured formula supplementation protocol (10 mL formula fed after each breastfeeding until mothers produced copious milk), compared with control dyads, who continued exclusive breastfeeding and received a safety teaching intervention.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The study's primary outcome was any breastfeeding at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included age at breastfeeding cessation and any breastfeeding at 12 months. All outcomes were assessed by maternal phone survey.

RESULTS

Eighty-two newborns were randomized to ELF and 82 to the control group. Mean (SD) maternal age was 31.4 (5.9) years, and 114 (69.5%) self-identified as non-Hispanic white; 20 (12.2%), Hispanic; 17 (10.4%), Asian; 5 (3.0%), non-Hispanic black; and 7 (4.3%), other. Compared with controls, mothers randomized to ELF were less likely to be married (n = 53 [64.6%] vs n = 66 [80.5%]; P = .03) and had shorter mean (SD) intended duration of breastfeeding (8.6 [3.4] vs 9.9 [4.4] months; P = .049). Median (interquartile range) duration of breastfeeding in the cohort was 9 (6-12) months. At 6 months, 47 (65%) infants randomized to ELF were breastfeeding, compared with 60 (77%) of the control infants (absolute difference, -12%; 95% CI, -26% to 3%; P = .12). At 12 months, 21 of the 71 ELF infants available for analysis (29.6%) were breastfeeding, compared with 37 of the available 77 (48.1%) control infants (risk difference, -18%; 95% CI, -34% to -3%). Marital status and intended breastfeeding duration were both associated with breastfeeding duration; models adjusting for these found a hazard ratio for time-to-event of breastfeeding cessation through 12 months of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.48-1.14) for ELF infants compared with infants in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort with high breastfeeding prevalence, ELF was not associated with any improvement in breastfeeding duration. Future research should examine the effect of ELF in populations at higher risk of early cessation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02313181.

Longitudinal Gut Bacterial Colonization and Its Influencing Factors of Low Birth Weight Infants During the First 3 Months of Life

Establishment of low birth weight (LBW) infant gut microbiota may have lifelong implications for the health of individuals. However, no longitudinal cohort studies have been conducted to characterize the gut microbial profiles of LBW infants and their influencing factors. Our objective was to understand how the gut bacterial community structure of LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) infants varies across the first 3 months of life and assess the influencing factors. In this observational cohort study, gut bacterial composition was identified with sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples of 69 LBW infants and 65 NBW controls at 0 day, 3 days, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months (defined as stages 1–5) after birth. Alpha-diversity of both groups displayed a decreasing trend followed by slight variations. There were significant differences on the Shannon index of the two groups at stages 1 to 3 (P = 0.041, P = 0.032, and P = 0.014, respectively). The microbiota community structure of LBW infants were significantly different from NBW infants throughout the 3 months (all P < 0.05) but not at stage 2 (P = 0.054). There was a significant increase in abundance in Firmicutes while a decrease in Proteobacteria, and at genus level the abundance of Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Streptococcus increased while it decreased for Haemophilus in LBW group. Birth weight was the main factor explaining the observed variation at all stages, except at stage 2. Delivery mode (4.78%) and antibiotic usage (3.50%) contributed to explain the observed variation at stage 3, and pregestational BMI (4.61%) partially explained the observed variation at stage 4. In conclusion, gut microbial communities differed in NBW and LBW infants from birth to 3 months of life, and were affected by birth weight, delivery mode, antibiotic treatment, and pregestational BMI.

Perinatal Risk Factors Associated With Gastroenteritis Hospitalizations in Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Children in Western Australia (2000-2012): A Record Linkage Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Gastroenteritis is a leading cause of childhood morbidity worldwide. We aimed to assess the maternal and infant characteristics and population attributable fractions associated with childhood gastroenteritis-related hospitalizations.

METHODS

We conducted a whole-of-population retrospective birth cohort study of 367,476 children live-born in Western Australia 2000-2012. We identified hospital admissions up to <15 years of age pertaining to these children, with a principal diagnosis code for infectious gastroenteritis. Cox regression was used to obtain the adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals and the population attributable fractions associated with each risk factor in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children for their first gastroenteritis-related hospital admission.

RESULTS

There were a total of 15,888 gastroenteritis-related hospital admissions (25.7% occurring among non-Aboriginal children). The overall gastroenteritis hospitalization rate for children <15 years of age was 4.6/1000 child-years for non-Aboriginal children and 21.5/1000 child-years for Aboriginal children. Male gender, <20 years of maternal age, preterm birth, low birth weight, residence in remote regions of Western Australia and birth in the pre-rotavirus vaccine era were significant independent risk factors for gastroenteritis hospitalization in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Additionally, birth by caesarean section and low socioeconomic status were identified as being associated with gastroenteritis hospitalization in non-Aboriginal children. Population attributable fractions suggest that 39% of all gastroenteritis hospitalizations in non-Aboriginal children (38% in Aboriginal children) could be averted if all children receive the rotavirus vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the beneficial effect of infant rotavirus vaccination in preventing all-cause gastroenteritis hospitalization, efforts should be taken to optimize rotavirus vaccine coverage in those at highest risk.

Effects of early life NICU stress on the developing gut microbiome

Succession of gut microbial community structure for newborns is highly influenced by early life factors. Many preterm infants cared for in the NICU are exposed to parent-infant separation, stress, and pain from medical care procedures. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of early life stress on the trajectory of gut microbial structure. Stool samples from very preterm infants were collected weekly for 6 weeks. NICU stress exposure data were collected daily for 6 weeks. V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced. Zero-inflated beta regression model with random effects was used to assess the impact of stress on gut microbiome trajectories. Week of sampling was significant for Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium, Proteus, Streptococcus, Clostridium butyricum, and Clostridium perfringens. Antibiotic usage was significant for Proteus, Citrobacter, and C. perfringens. Gender was significant for Proteus. Stress exposure occurring 1 and 2 weeks prior to sampling had a significant effect on Proteus and Veillonella. NICU stress exposure had a significant effect on Proteus and Veillonella. An overall dominance of Gammaproteobacteria was found. Findings suggest early life NICU stress may significantly influence the developing gut microbiome, which is important to NICU practice and future microbiome research.

Mode of delivery and short-term infant health outcomes: a prospective cohort study in a peri-urban Indian population

Background

Previous studies have found a relationship between cesarean section delivery and adverse outcomes in the offspring, partially attributing these findings to differential development of immunity in infants delivered by cesarean compared to vaginal delivery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether cesarean section delivery is associated with higher reports of adverse short-term infant health outcomes in a peri-urban Indian population.

Methods

Data from a prospective pregnancy cohort study in a peri-urban region of Telangana State, India, were analyzed to assess the association between mode of delivery, cesarean section or vaginal, and maternal report of recent infant diarrhea and/or respiratory symptoms at a 6 month follow-up visit. Inverse probability weights were applied to log-binomial regression models to account for maternal pre-pregnancy, prenatal, and labor and delivery factors.

Results

Of the 851 singleton infants delivered between 2010 and 2015, 46.7% were delivered by cesarean. Cesarean delivery was not associated with an increased report of infants having one or more of the outcomes (diarrhea, respiratory infection, or difficulty breathing) at 6 months (adjusted risk ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.76–1.03), nor was it associated with infants having a more severe outcome of comorbid diarrhea and respiratory infection (adjusted risk ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 0.58–2.04).

Conclusion

Unlike findings in Western populations, in this peri-urban Indian population, cesarean delivery was not associated with higher reports of short-term adverse gastrointestinal or respiratory infant outcomes after accounting for pre-delivery maternal factors. Future research in this cohort could elucidate whether mode of delivery is associated with other adverse outcomes later in childhood.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12887-018-1324-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gestation at birth, mode of birth, infant feeding and childhood hospitalization with infection

INTRODUCTION

Infections are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in preschool children. We aimed to assess the impact of the co-occurrence of cesarean section, early birth and formula feeding on hospitalization with infection in early childhood.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Population-based retrospective record-linkage cohort study of 488 603 singleton livebirths ≥32 weeks' gestational age in New South Wales, Australia, 2007-2012. Multivariable Cox-regression was used to estimate independent and combined adjusted associations of gestational age, mode of birth (vaginal or cesarean section by labor onset) and formula feeding with time to first and repeat hospitalization with infection for children less than five years of age.

RESULTS

In all, 95 346 (19.5%) children were hospitalized with infection, and of these 24.8% (23 615) more than once. Median age at first and repeat hospitalization was 1.1 and 1.7 years, respectively. Earlier gestation, modes of birth other than spontaneous vaginal, and formula feeding were independently associated with an increased risk of first and repeat hospitalization with infection. At 32-36 weeks' gestation, co-occurrence of perinatal factors (cf. spontaneous vaginal birth at 39+ weeks without formula feeding) was associated with a 2-fold and 1.5-fold increased risk of first and repeat hospitalization, respectively. For births at 37-38 weeks, the increased risk was 1.5-fold and 1.25-fold for first and repeat hospitalization, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cesarean section, labor induction, birth at <39 weeks and formula feeding increase the risk of infection-related hospitalization in childhood, which increases further when these factors co-occur. Reducing early planned birth and supporting breastfeeding are potentially cost-effective approaches to reducing the risk of hospitalization.

Health Services Use by Late Preterm and Term Infants From Infancy to Adulthood: A Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Late-preterm infants born at 34 to 36 weeks' gestation have increased risks of various health problems. Health service utilization (HSU) of late-preterm infants has not been systematically summarized before.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize the published literature on short- and long-term HSU by late-preterm infants versus term infants from infancy to adulthood after initial discharge from the hospital.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Medline, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO.

STUDY SELECTION

Cohort and case-control studies that compared HSU (admissions, emergency department visits, etc) between late-preterm infants and term infants were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extracted included study design, setting, population, HSU, covariates, and effect estimates.

RESULTS

Fifty-two articles were included (50 cohort and 2 case-control studies). Meta-analyses with random effect models that used the inverse-variance method found that late-preterm infants had higher chances of all-cause admissions than term infants during all the time periods. The magnitude of the differences decreased with age from the neonatal period through adolescence, with adjusted odds ratios from 2.34 (95% confidence intervals 1.19-4.61) to 1.09 (1.05-1.13) and adjusted incidence rate ratios from 2.62 (2.52-2.72) to 1.14 (1.11-1.18). Late-preterm infants had higher rates of various cause-specific HSU than term infants for jaundice, infection, respiratory problems, asthma, and neurologic and/or mental health problems during certain periods, including adulthood.

LIMITATIONS

Considerable heterogeneity existed and was partially explained by the variations in the adjustment for multiple births and gestational age ranges of the term infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Late-preterm infants had higher risks for all-cause admissions as well as for various cause-specific HSU during the neonatal period through adolescence.

The infant gut bacterial microbiota and risk of pediatric asthma and allergic diseases

Among the many areas being revolutionized by the recent introduction of culture-independent microbial identification techniques is investigation of the relationship between close contact with large animals, antibiotics, breast feeding, mode of birth, and other exposures during infancy as related to a reduced risk of asthma and allergic disease. These exposures were originally clustered under the "Hygiene Hypothesis" which has evolved into the "Microbiota Hypothesis". This review begins by summarizing epidemiologic studies suggesting that the common feature of these allergy risk-related exposures is their influence on the founding and early development of a child's gut microbiota. Next, studies using culture-independent techniques are presented showing that children who have experienced the exposures of interest have altered gut microbiota. Finally, selected mouse and human studies are presented which begin to corroborate the protective exposures identified in epidemiologic studies by elucidating mechanisms through which microbes can alter immune development and function. These microbially driven immune alterations demonstrate that microbial exposures in many cases could alter the risk of subsequent allergic disease and asthma. Hopefully, a better understanding of how microbes influence allergic disease will lead to safe and effective methods for reducing the prevalence of all forms of allergic disease.

Changeover from signalling to energy-provisioning lipids during transition from colostrum to mature milk in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Among the large placental mammals, ursids give birth to the most altricial neonates with the lowest neonatal:maternal body mass ratios. This is particularly exemplified by giant pandas. To examine whether there is compensation for the provision of developmentally important nutrients that other species groups may provide in utero, we examined changes in the lipids of colostrum and milk with time after birth in giant pandas. Lipids that are developmental signals or signal precursors, and those that are fundamental to nervous system construction, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and phosphatidylserines, appear early and then fall dramatically in concentration to a baseline at 20–30 days. The dynamics of lysophosphatidic acid and eicosanoids display similar patterns, but with progressive differences between mothers. Triglycerides occur at relatively low levels initially and increase in concentration until a plateau is reached at about 30 days. These patterns indicate an early provision of signalling lipids and their precursors, particularly lipids crucial to brain, retinal and central nervous system development, followed by a changeover to lipids for energy metabolism. Thus, in giant pandas, and possibly in all bears, lactation is adapted to provisioning a highly altricial neonate to a degree that suggests equivalence to an extension of gestation.