Assessing Factors that Shape Neonatal Gut Microbiota in Erbil Province/Iraq

Abstract

Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are considered the initial microbial species to colonize the gastrointestinal tract in the human host. In this study, we investigated the influence of delivery mode, feeding style, infant sex, mother’s age, number of siblings, and birthplace on the prevalence of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in the gut of 20 newborns aged 1-3 weeks in Erbil. Fecal samples from infants and breast milk from mothers were examined for the presence of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli using selective culture media (BSM and MRS respectively). The results showed that breast milk samples (95%) contained the two bacterial genera, but only 30% of the stool samples contained Lactobacillus (p = 0. 0.037) and 50% of them contained Bifidobacteria (p > 0. 0.05). Babies who were strictly on breast milk had a significantly higher chance of harboring Bifidobacteria (p= 0. 0003) and Lactobacilli (p = 0. 0034) in their feces than those who were given both breast milk formula milk. Babies born by caesarian section had a lesser chance to have Lactobacillus in their gut compared to those who were naturally born via the birth canal (p = 0. 009). Baby sex, mother’s age, number of siblings, and birthplace did not affect the prevalence of Bifidobacteria. Our results suggest that the feeding type and delivery mode are the most crucial factors affecting the composition of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in the newborn's gut.