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Am J Perinatol 2015; 32(13): 1205-1216
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1552941
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Skin-to-Skin Care and the Development of the Preterm Infant Oral Microbiome

Karen D. Hendricks-Muñoz
1   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
,
Jie Xu
1   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
,
Hardik I. Parikh
2   Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
,
Ping Xu
2   Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
3   Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
4   VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
,
Jennifer M. Fettweis
2   Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
3   Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
,
Yang Kim
5   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
,
Moi Louie
5   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
,
Gregory A. Buck
2   Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
3   Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
,
Leroy R. Thacker
6   Departments of Family and Community Health Nursing and Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
,
Nihar U. Sheth
3   Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 September 2014

19 March 2015

Publication Date:
22 May 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The oral cavity represents an initial entry way for oral and gut indigenous colonization. Skin-to-skin (STS) care, in which the mother holds the diaper clad naked preterm (PT) infant between her breasts, is associated with improved digestive function, decreased stress, and improved survival. This study evaluated the development of oral microbial colonization repertoires and health characteristics in PT infants with or without STS exposure.

Methods Saliva from 42 PT infants (<32 weeks of gestation at birth) was collected prospectively at 1 month and/or at discharge. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing identified microbial diversity and prevalence of bacterial signatures correlated with clinical STS or non-STS care.

Results Corrected for gestational age (CGA) at sampling, bacterial taxa demonstrated increased Streptococcus as a signature of oral repertoire maturation. STS was associated with increased Streptococcus (p < 0.024), while non-STS was associated with greater Corynebacterium (p < 0.023) and Pseudomonas (p < 0.019) in infants ≤ 32 weeks CGA. In infants > 32 weeks CGA, Neisseria and Acinetobacter were more prevalent, 50 vs. 16.7% and 40 vs. 0%, respectively. STS care was associated with shorter hospitalization (p < 0.039).

Conclusion STS care during earlier gestation was associated with a distinct microbial pattern and an accelerated pace of oral microbial repertoire maturity.

Keywords

skin to skin - preterm infant - oral microbiome
 

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