Gut microbiota and its diet-related activity in children with intestinal failure receiving long-term parenteral nutrition

Abstract

Background: This study characterized gut microbiota and its diet-related activity in children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) compared with those of healthy controls (HC) and in relation to disease characteristics. Methods: The fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured in 15 IF patients (n = 68) and 25 HC (n = 25). Results: Patients with IF had a lower bacterial load (P =.003), diversity (P < 0.001) in IF patients than in HC. The energy supplied by PN (%PN) was negatively associated with microbiota diversity and SCFA profile. IF patients had more Escherichia-Shigella (P =.006), Cronobacter (P =.001), and Staphylococcus (Operational Taxonomic Unit 14, P < 0.001) and Ruminococcus 1 and 2 (P