Objective To investigate the dynamic changes in early infant enterotypes, the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and their associations with neurodevelopment. Methods Using a birth cohort study design, 163 healthy full-term infants born at West China Second University Hospital/West China Women's and Children's Hospital of Sichuan University between November 2020 and September 2021 were enrolled. Fecal samples were collected on days 0, 7, and 30 after birth, and neurodevelopment was assessed using the ASQ-3 questionnaire at 12 months of age. Based on sample and questionnaire completeness, 69 infants completed the ASQ-3 assessment. A total of 38, 57, and 62 fecal samples from healthy full-term infants were included for subsequent analysis on days 0, 7, and 30, respectively. By integrating 16S rRNA sequencing, gas chromatography analysis, and ASQ-3 assessment, correlations between enterotypes, SCFAs levels, and neurodevelopmental indicators were analyzed. Results Infant gut microbiota underwent significant time-dependent succession within the first 30 days after birth. The enterotype shifted from a Bifidobacterium-dominant profile (enterotype 2) at day 0 to a Streptococcus-dominant profile (enterotype 1) at day 7, and further to a Clostridium-dominant profile (enterotype 3) at day 30. SCFAs levels also increased dynamically over time, with butyrate levels in the Clostridium-dominant enterotype (enterotype 3) being significantly higher than in other enterotypes at each time point. Correlation analyses indicated a significant positive association between enterotype and butyrate levels across all time points. A significant negative correlation was observed between enterotype at day 0 and communication domain scores, as well as between enterotype at day 7 and gross motor domain scores. Furthermore, propionate levels at days 0 and 30 were significantly negatively correlated with problem-solving domain scores on the ASQ-3 questionnaire, while acetate levels at day 7 were significantly negatively correlated with fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social domain scores. Conclusion This study reveals the dynamic succession of early infant gut microbiota and fluctuations in SCFAs metabolism, as well as their associations with infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Key words
infant /
enterotype /
short-chain fatty acids /
neurodevelopment /
ASQ-3 questionnaire
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