(P18-058-23) Determining the Effect of Maternal Adiposity on Fecal Fermentation and Microbiome Profiles in the Preterm Infant

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of maternal adiposity on preterm infant fecal fermentation and microbiome.

Methods: Study design This was a preterm infant cohort study in the NICU at MUSC. All data were collected without identifiers or record of PHI; stool samples were sent to ETSU for analysis. This study was approved by the IRB at MUSC (PRO00120615).

16s rRNA Isolation & Quantification Qiagen QIAmp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit was utilized for isolation of fecal microbiome DNA; Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA region was performed at the University of Tennessee Genomics Core Laboratory using a modified Klindworth et al method.

Microbiome Analysis Operational Taxonomic Unit clustering and analysis were performed via CLC Genomics Workbench v. 23. Alpha diversity indexes were calculated using the Abundance Analysis tool, and Bray-Curtis and Weighted Unifrac metrics were used to calculate Beta diversity.

Fecal Fermentation Profile The samples were subjected to short chain fatty acid (SCFA) extraction and analysis using a modified Schwiertz et al. method. The resulting SCFA profiles were used to determine significant differences between groups.

Results: Significance was observed between groups in microbiome for: C-section (yes/no); gestation ( < 28, 28-32, 33-36 weeks), age at sample collection (1, 2, 3, 4, >4 weeks); and maternal BMI + antibiotics exposure (no antibiotics + normal, overweight, or obese BMI and antibiotics + normal, overweight, or obese BMI). Significance was detected between groups in fecal fermentation for: recreational drug use (use/no use), preeclampsia (preeclamptic/not), sepsis evaluation (yes/no), age at sample collection (1, 2, 3, 4, >4 weeks), and Fenton measurements for birth length, birth weight, and occipital frontal circumference (small, average, large for gestational age).

Conclusions: These results offer critical insights into the impact of maternal and neonatal factors on the microbiome and SCFA profiles of preterm infants, which can have implications for their overall health and development.

Funding Sources: ETSU Dean’s Research Enhancement Award and Division of Neonatology, MUSC.