650 - Multi-omics analysis of the gut microbiome and metabolites associated with the physical development in term SGA infants

Publication Number: 650.5965

Shushu Li, Women‘s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic); Ziwei Yu, Women`s Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic); Yanyu Jin, Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic); Ke Ma, Women`s Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic); Xiaohui Chen, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic); Shuping Han, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)

Background: Small for gestational age (SGA) is associated with elevated rates of mortality and morbidity and exhibits a higher risk of physical developmental delay compared to infants appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Although emerging evidence suggests a link between the altered gut microbiota may play a role in SGA, the specific microbial and metabolic mechanisms underlying this association remain poorly understood.

Objective: This study aims to explore the gut microbiota composition and its metabolic functions in term SGA infants and their potential impact on growth outcomes.

Design/Methods: We conducted a metagenome-wide association study and metabolomics profiling on stool samples from 31-term SGA and 31-term AGA infants to investigate differences in gut microbial species and metabolic pathways.

Results: We identified 292 down-regulated and 19 up-regulated gut microbial species associated with term SGA and AGA infants, leading to altered expression levels of 312 genes enriched in 25 pathways, with 12 pathways related to metabolism. Furthermore, 18 differential stool metabolites were found in term SGA, including 5'-Methylthioadenosine, Taurocholate, Gibberellin A12 aldehyde, and 17alpha-Hydroxypregnanolone. These alterations were strongly correlated with changes in gut microbial species and their functions, as well as clinical growth indices at 6 months, such as weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), weight-for-length z-score (WLZ), and BMI z-score.

Conclusion(s): This study provides a comprehensive insight into the gut microbiota dysbiosis associated with term SGA infants and highlights its potential role in influencing growth outcomes. Our findings suggest that the gut microbiota may serve as a promising target for future interventions aimed at improving growth and preventing developmental delays in term SGA infants.