A comparison of secretory antibodies in breast-fed and formula-fed infants over the first six months of life

In the present study salivary IgA, anti-Escherichia coli, anti-beta-lactoglobulin and anti-poliovirus type 1 IgA and IgM in serum and saliva were evaluated longitudinally in 13 breast-fed and 14 formula-fed infants over the first six months of life. Salivary IgA was quantified by electroimmunodiffusion; specific IgA and IgM antibodies were determined in serum and saliva by ELISA. Salivary IgA was significantly lower at age one month in breast-fed compared with formula-fed infants but in breast-fed infants salivary IgA increased with age and was significantly higher at six months than at one month. In both groups of infants, at the age of six months, salivary IgA levels were significantly lower than in adult controls. No significant differences in secretory anti-E. coli were observed between the two groups of infants. Salivary anti-poliovirus IgA and IgM antibodies increased transiently only to disappear in most babies at age six months, while anti-beta lactoglobulin IgA and IgM, present in saliva at all ages, showed a wide scatter. No important differences in specific serum IgA or IgM antibodies were observed either between the groups or at different times within the groups.     

Lack of plasma leptin response to feeding in newborn infants

Objective:   Previous reports of the postprandial regulation of leptin are controversial, and there have been few studies on the effects of breast-feeding on postprandial regulation in newborn infants. We examined the response of plasma leptin to breast- and formula-feeding in newborn infants.
Methods:   We measured the plasma leptin levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit before and after feeding in 12 breast-fed and 11 formula-fed mature infants.
Results:   There was no significant difference in plasma leptin levels in breast-fed infants before and after feeding or in artificially fed infants before and after feeding.
Conclusion:   Our results suggest that feeding does not play a role in the acute response of circulating leptin levels in either breast- or formula-fed infants.     

Iron status in exclusively breast-fed infants.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the iron nutritional status of infants breast-fed exclusively and for a prolonged period in relation to their growth rate and dietary changes. Forty subjects (25 breast-fed; 15 formula-fed) were studied from 0 to 9 months of age. Milk (human or formula) was the only source of food during the first 6 months. From the sixth month onward mothers were instructed to use iron- and ascorbic acid-rich foods to supplement breast-feeding. At the ninth month, prevalence of anemia was 27.8% in the breast-fed group and 7.1% in the formula-fed group. Storage iron was absent in 27.8% of the breast-fed infants vs none of the formula-fed infants. These findings reinforce the recommendation that breast-fed infants be given supplemental iron from the fourth month of life.     

Infant feeding and growth: A study on Turkish infants from birth to 6 months

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of various feeding patterns on the physical growth and mental development of infants, particularly during the first 6 months of life, and to compare growth patterns of Turkish infants with those of infants living in various countries. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two healthy newborn infants were included in the study and were divided into three feeding groups: (i) 62 infants were exclusively breast-fed (BF); (ii) 58 infants were mixed-fed (MF) with both breast milk and formula; and (iii) 52 infants were formula-fed (FF). Infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months of age. Anthropometry was repeated on each occasion. The weight and length of the infants was also recorded. Analysis of variance and modified t-test were used for statistical evaluation of the results. RESULTS: Values in the BF group were the closest to the tabular norms for weight. Infants in the FF group tended towards a lower weight during the first 3 months (P < 0.05). During the second 3 months, weight gain observed in the FF group was significantly higher than that of BF infants. In comparison with MF infants, a significant progressive weight gain was detected in BF infants (P < 0.05). The values obtained for length increments were consistent with those for weight (P < 0.05 for BF vs FF). No significant difference was found between the length increments detected for BF and MF infants from birth to 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that exclusive breast-feeding is the most appropriate feeding pattern for newborn infants in Turkey and is sufficient during the first 6 months, the most important fraction of life.     

Which mothers wean their babies prematurely from full breastfeeding? An Australian cohort study

Aim:  To identify the maternal and infant characteristics associated with an early transition from full breastfeeding to complementary or no breastfeeding during the first 2 months of life in a large, representative cohort of Australian infants.
Method:  Multinomial logistic modelling was performed on data for infants with complete breastfeeding and sociodemographic data (N = 4679) including maternal age, education, smoking, employment, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Results:  Ninety-one percent of women initiated breastfeeding. Sixty-nine percent of infants were being fully breastfed at 1 month, and 59% were fully breastfed at 2 months. Maternal characteristics – age less than 25 years, smoking in pregnancy, early full-time postnatal employment and less educational attainment – were associated with early breastfeeding cessation. Infant factors – multiple birth, caesarean birth, infant or first birth – were associated with a transition to complementary breastfeeding in the first postnatal month.
Conclusion:  Breastfeeding duration is substantially affected by breastfeeding outcomes in the first postpartum month. The first month is an important window for evidence-based interventions to improve rates of full breastfeeding in groups of women identified as at risk of early breastfeeding cessation.     

Natural evolution of regurgitation in healthy infants

Objectives:  To determine the natural history of infant regurgitation during the first year of life.
Methods: Parents recorded prospectively the frequency of regurgitation for 1 week before consultation during the first year of life. A sub-group analysis according to the method of feeding was planned.
Results:  A total of 130 infants of an original sample of 163 (80%) newborns were followed up for 1 year. Daily spilling was highest during the first month of life (73%) and decreased gradually to 50% during the fifth month of life. During the first 2 months of life, 20% of the infants regurgitated more than four times per day. After the age of 12 months, only 4% of the infants had daily regurgitations. Exclusively breastfed infants did regurgitate less than partially breastfed infants. Weight gain was influenced by the frequency of regurgitation, especially in partially breastfed infants.
Conclusion: Regurgitation in infancy is common, decreasing from birth, and tends to disappear by 12 months of age. Weight gain during the first 4 months of life is decreased in infants who regurgitate more than four times a day. Our data suggest that exclusively breastfed infants regurgitate less than partially breastfed babies.     

Abnormalities in zinc homeostasis in young infants with cystic fibrosis

Low plasma zinc concentrations have been reported in approximately 30% of young infants with cystic fibrosis identified by newborn screening. The objective of this study was to examine zinc homeostasis in this population by application of stable isotope methodology. Fifteen infants with cystic fibrosis (9 male, 6 female; 7 breast-fed, 8 formula-fed) were studied at a mean (+/-SD) age of 1.8 +/- 0.7 mo. On d 1, 70Zn was administered intravenously, and 67Zn was quantitatively administered with all human milk/formula feeds during the day. Three days later, a 3-d metabolic period was initiated, during which time intake was measured and complete urine and fecal collections were obtained. Fractional zinc absorption, total absorbed zinc, endogenous fecal zinc, and net absorbed zinc were measured; fecal fat excretion was also determined. Fractional absorption was significantly higher for the breast-fed infants (0.40 +/- 0.21) compared with the formula-fed group (0.13 +/- 0.06) (p = 0.01), but with the significantly higher dietary zinc intake of the formula-fed group, total absorbed zinc was higher for those receiving formula (p = 0.01). In 1 infants with complete zinc metabolic data, excretion of endogenous zinc was twofold greater for the formula-fed infants (p < 0.05); net absorption (mg zinc/d) was negative for both feeding groups: -0.04 +/- 0.52 for breast-fed; -0.28 +/- 0.57 for formula-fed. Endogenous fecal zinc losses correlated with fecal fat excretion (r = 0.89, n = 9, p = 0.001), suggesting interference with normal conservation of endogenously secreted zinc. These findings indicate impaired zinc homeostasis in this population and suggest an explanation for the observations of suboptimal zinc status in many young infants with cystic fibrosis prior to diagnosis and treatment.     

Cholinergic and oxidative stress mechanisms in sudden infant death syndrome

Aim:  To determine whether biochemical parameters of cholinergic and oxidative stress function including red cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE), serum/plasma thyroglobulin, selenium, iron, ferritin, vitamins C, E, and A affect risk in apparent life-threatening event (ALTE), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). To assess these biochemical parameters as a function of age; and for influence of pharmacology and epidemiology, including infant health, care, and feeding practices.
Methods:  A multicentre, case–control study with blood samples from 34 ALTE and 67 non-ALTE (control) infants matched for age, and 30 SIDS/SUDI and four non-SIDS/non-SUDI (post-mortem control) infants.
Results:  Levels/activity of the biochemical parameters were not significantly different in ALTE vs. control infants, with the exception of higher vitamin C levels in the ALTE group (p = 0.009). In ALTE and control groups, AChE and thyroglobulin levels increased and decreased respectively from birth to attain normal adult levels from 6 months. Levels of iron and ferritin were higher in the first 6 month period for all infant groups studied, intersecting with vitamin C levels peaking around 4 months of age.
Conclusion:  Lower AChE levels and higher combined levels of iron and vitamin C in the first 6 months of life may augment cholinergic and oxidative stress effect, particularly at the age when SIDS is most prevalent. This may contribute to risk of ALTE and SIDS/SUDI events during infancy.     

Serum and salivary anti-capsular antibodies in infants and children immunized with the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

AIM: To study the ability of seven-valent experimental pneumococcal polysaccharide CRM197 protein conjugate vaccine (PncCRM) to induce antibodies in serum and saliva of infants. METHODS: Sixty Finnish infants received Pnc-CRM vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months of age and were boosted with PncCRM (n = 30) or pneumococcal polysaccharide (PncPS) (n = 29) vaccine at the age of 15 months. Serum IgG antibody concentrations to vaccine serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F were measured by enzyme immunoassay at 2, 4, 6, 7, 15, 16 and 24 months of age. Salivary IgA, IgG and secretory Ig antibody titers at 7 and 16 months of ages were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay against the same serotypes, except 23F. RESULTS: PncCRM induced systemic immune responses and immunologic memory. At 7 months of age 69 to 100% of children, depending on the serotype, had serum IgG antibody concentrations exceeding the value of 1.0 microg/ml. At 15 months the titers were still higher than before the vaccinations. Booster doses of either PncPS or PncCRM induced an increase in antibody concentrations. The titers were still elevated at 24 months of age. Salivary IgA and IgG antibodies were found rarely at 7 months of age, but in up to 80% of samples taken at 16 months of age, depending on the serotype and nature of the booster vaccine. Salivary IgG correlated with IgG in serum, supporting the theory that salivary IgG is derived from serum. Salivary IgA and secretory Ig correlated positively, which indicates that IgA was locally produced. CONCLUSIONS: PncCRM induces both systemic and mucosal immune responses in infants.     

Eleven consecutive years of respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks in Croatia

Background:  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in infants. The aim of the present study was to analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of RSV outbreaks in Croatian children.
Methods:  Over a period of 11 consecutive years (1994–2005), 3435 inpatients with acute respiratory infections (ARI) aged from birth to 10 years and were residing in Zagreb County were tested for infection with RSV and other respiratory viruses at the Virology Department, Croatian National Institute of Public Health. RSV was identified in nasopharyngeal secretions by isolation on cell culture and/or detection with monoclonal antibodies using a direct fluorescence assay.
Results:  RSV was the most common causative agent of ARI (42.2%; 658/1559) for the infants 0–6 months of age. It was also the etiologic agent of LRTI in 49% (495/1010) of infants of similar age. RSV was demonstrated in 56.5% (382/676) of infants with bronchiolitis, and in 36.5% (49/134) of those with pneumonia in this age group.
Conclusion:  The overall prevalence of RSV infection in Croatian children with acute respiratory illness, and its occurrence in various age groups, has remained stable over the past decade. RSV was found to be the most common cause of bronchiolitis occurring throughout childhood (52.7%; 482/913).     

Macromolecular Absorption in Infants with Infantile Colic

ABSTRACT. Intestinal absorption of macromolecules, using human α-lactalbumin (α-LA) as a marker, was studied in breast-fed and formula-fed infants with infantile colic. Serum samples taken at 30 and 60 min after an intake of human milk were analyzed for α-LA by a competitive radioimmunoassay technique. Breast-fed infants with infantile colic had significantly higher s-α-LA levels compared with age-matched breast-fed control infants 0-1 month of age: median value 926 μg α-LA/I serum/I human milk/kg bodyweight (n= 11) versus 150 (n= 34); 1–2 months of age: 173 (n= 22) versus 31 (n= 16); 2–3 months of age: 132 (n= 8) versus 11 (n= 16). Similarly, formula-fed colicky infants had significantly higher s-α-LA levels than agematched formula-fed control infants 1-2 months of age: median value 126 (n= 12) versus < 10 (n= 14); 2–3 months of age: 156 (n= 11) versus < 10 (n= 10). The increased absorption of the macromolecule human α-lactalbumin in infantile colic suggests that the gut mucosa is affected in infants with infantile colic.     

Prediction for developmental delay on Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale in preterm infants without brain lesion

Background:  Preterm infants often have difficulty in achieving a coordinated sucking pattern. To analyze the correlation between preterm infants with disorganized sucking and future development, weekly studies were performed of 27 preterm infants from initiation of bottle feeding until a normal sucking pattern was recognized.
Methods:  A total of 27 preterm infants without brain lesion participated in the present study. Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS) was utilized to evaluate the sucking pattern. Infants who were initially assessed as having disorganized sucking on NOMAS and regained a normal sucking pattern by 37 weeks old were assigned to group I; infants with a persistent disorganized sucking pattern after 37 weeks were assigned to group II. The mental (MDI) and psychomotor (PDI) developmental indices of Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition were used for follow-up tests to demonstrate neurodevelopment at 6 months and 12 months of corrected age.
Results:  At 6 months follow up, subjects in group I had a significantly higher PDI score than group II infants ( P = 0.04). At 12 months follow up, group I subjects had a significantly higher score on MDI ( P = 0.03) and PDI ( P = 0.04). There was also a higher rate for development delay in group II at 6 months ( P = 0.05).
Conclusion:  NOMAS-based assessment for neonatal feeding performance could be a helpful tool to predict neurodevelopmental outcome at 6 and 12 months. Close follow up and early intervention may be necessary for infants who present with a disorganized sucking pattern after 37 weeks post-conceptional age.     

Maturational changes in the feeding behaviour of infants – a comparison between breast-feeding and bottle-feeding

Aim:  To obtain a better understanding of the changes in feeding behaviour from 1 to 6 months of age. By comparing breast- and bottle-feeding, we intended to clarify the difference in longitudinal sucking performance.
Methods:  Sucking variables were consecutively measured for 16 breast-fed and eight bottle-fed infants at 1, 3 and 6 months of age.
Results:  For breast-feeding, number of sucks per burst (17.8 ± 8.8, 23.8 ± 8.3 and 32.4 ± 15.3 times), sucking burst duration (11.2 ± 6.1, 14.7 ± 8.0 and 17.9 ± 8.8 sec) and number of sucking bursts per feed (33.9 ± 13.9, 28.0 ± 18.2 and 18.6 ± 12.8 times) at 1, 3 and 6 months of age respectively showed significant differences between 1 and 6 months of age (p < 0.05). The sucking pressure and total number of sucks per feed did not differ among different ages. Bottle-feeding resulted in longer sucking bursts and more sucks per burst compared with breast-feeding in each month (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:  The increase in the amount of ingested milk with maturation resulted from an increase in bolus volume per minute as well as the higher number of sucks continuously for both breast- and bottle-fed infants.     

Macromolecular absorption in infants with infantile colic

Intestinal absorption of macromolecules, using human alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) as a marker, was studied in breast-fed and formula-fed infants with infantile colic. Serum samples taken at 30 and 60 min after an intake of human milk were analyzed for alpha-LA by a competitive radioimmunoassay technique. Breast-fed infants with infantile colic had significantly higher s-alpha-LA levels compared with age-matched breast-fed control infants 0-1 month of age: median value 926 micrograms alpha-LA/l serum/l human milk/kg bodyweight (n = 11) versus 150 (n = 34); 1-2 months of age: 173 (n = 22) versus 31 (n = 16); 2-3 months of age: 132 (n = 8) versus 11 (n = 16). Similarly, formula-fed colicky infants had significantly higher s-alpha-LA levels than age-matched formula-fed control infants 1-2 months of age: median value 126 (n = 12) versus less than 10 (n = 14); 2-3 months of age: 156 (n = 11) versus less than 10 (n = 10). The increased absorption of the macromolecule human alpha-lactalbumin in infantile colic suggests that the gut mucosa is affected in infants with infantile colic.     

Vitamin D in infants with cystic fibrosis diagnosed by newborn screening

Aims:   Screening enables early nutritional deficiencies to be detected in those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although vitamin deficiency is considered unlikely in older subjects with normal vitamin E levels, few studies have determined vitamin D status at diagnosis and its relationship to other fat-soluble vitamins.
Methods:   We reviewed vitamin levels in infants diagnosed with CF by newborn screening over a 5-year period in Melbourne, Australia. Vitamin D levels were determined using the IDS gamma-B 25-OH Vitamin D radio-immunoassay (Immunodiagnostic Systems Limited, Boldon, UK). Vitamins A and E were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. We assessed the association between vitamin D level and sex, month of birth, pancreatic status, and vitamin A and E levels.
Results:   Fifty-eight infants were diagnosed at a median age of 1 month (range: 0–3 months). Initial vitamin D levels were assessed between 0.2 and 3.5 months in 30 (vitamin D) and 45 (vitamins A and E) infants. The number of infants deficient with vitamins D, E and A were 11 (37%), 7 (16%) and 27 (60%), respectively. Vitamin D levels were unrelated to sex, vitamin A or E levels, month of birth or pancreatic status, whereas vitamin A and E levels were significantly lower in those who were pancreatic insufficient. With supplementation, vitamin D increased over time.
Conclusions:   Vitamin D deficiency is common in infants newly diagnosed with CF by newborn screening and is unrelated to pancreatic status or predicted low vitamin E levels. Vitamin D deficiency is less common over time following treatment.     

Neonatal jaundice and stool production in breast- or formula-fed term infants

It has remained unclear whether the amount of fecal fat excreted in the stool and stool production influences the severity of neonatal jaundice. We determined the relationship between stool production, fecal fat excretion and jaundice in healthy breast-fed (BF) or formula-fed (FF) (near-)term neonates. From postnatal day 1–4, we quantitatively collected stools from 27 FF and 33 BF infants in daily fractions. Stool production and fecal fat contents were related to unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) levels, as determined by transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB). Bilirubin concentrations and stool production did not differ between FF and BF neonates during the study period. Neonatal bilirubin levels were not inversely correlated with stool production. FF and BF infants had similar fecal fat excretion rates. The stool production of FF infants was profoundly lower in the present study than in a 1985 study by De Carvalho et al. [J Pediatr (1985) 107:786–790]. We conclude that increased jaundice during the first postnatal days in healthy term neonates can no longer be attributed to breast-feeding and speculate that improved absorbability of formulas since 1985 has contributed to similar fat excretion and stool production in FF and BF neonates in 2007. This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from Nutricia (Zoetermeer, The Netherlands). Henkjan Verkade is a Research Fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences.     

Immunisation practices in infants born prematurely: Neonatologists' survey and clinical audit

Aim:   To determine Australian neonatologists' recommendations for the immunisation of ex-preterm infants and compare their actual immunisation status with recommended Australian guidelines.
Methods:   A self-administered nine-part questionnaire of current immunisation practices was sent to all Neonatologists in Australia (2006). A complementary retrospective immunisation audit was conducted in two tertiary neonatal units in Melbourne. Hospital records and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) were reviewed; consenting parents were interviewed and primary care physicians' vaccination records were requested. A random sample of preterm infants born between July 2003 and June 2005 at <32 weeks' gestation were selected.
Results:   (i) Neonatologists Survey: The response rate was 68% and the majority of neonatologists (89%) were aware of the current guidelines, but adherence to them varied from 43% to 79%. One-fifth of neonatologists personally do not receive annual influenza vaccination; and (ii) Immunisation Audit: Conducted between October 2006-May 2007 it included: 100 hospital records; 97 ACIR records; 47 parent interviews and 43 primary care vaccination records. Overall vaccination coverage was 90% at 12 months of age. Only 20% (10/50) of infants with chronic lung disease received an influenza vaccination. Vaccines were delayed by greater than one month in 15% of participants for the 2 month DTPa vaccine and 43% at 6 months.
Conclusions:   The neonatologists survey highlighted variable adherence with immunisation guidelines. The audit confirmed preterm infants are frequently experiencing delayed vaccination and recommended additional vaccinations are often not being received. Formulation of strategies to ensure complete and timely immunisation are required, including better utilisation of the ACIR.     

Developmental pattern of urinary bile acid profile in preterm infants

Background:  Bile acid metabolism in preterm infants is yet to be fully characterized. We compared the developmental pattern of urinary bile acid profiles in ten infants born at gestational ages from 25 to 33 weeks with previous data from full-term infants from birth to about 7 months of age.
Methods:  Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was performed on serial samples.
Results:  Total urinary bile acid concentrations gradually increased until 1 to 2 months of age. After this peak of excretion (30 to 60 µmol/mmol creatinine), total urinary bile acid concentrations gradually decreased to less than 20 µmol/mmol creatinine. The percentage of usual bile acids (mainly cholic acid) relative to total urinary total bile acids gradually deceased from approximately 30% at birth to less than 15% at 7 months of age. On the other hand, 1β-hydroxylated bile acids (mainly 1β,3α,7α,12α-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid) relative to total urinary bile acids were increased gradually from 60% at birth to reach 70% to 80% at 1 month of age. The percentage of 1β-hydroxylated bile acids relative to total urinary bile acids then remained stable at a high percentage (70% to 90%) until the age of 7 months.
Conclusion:  Physiological cholestasis in preterm infants persists longer than in full-term infants. Moreover, as large amounts of cholic and 1β,3α,7α,12α-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acids were detected in urine from preterm infants during this study, the 25-hydroxylation pathway may be particularly important for bile acid synthesis in early preterm infants.     

Analysis of intestinal flora development in breast-fed and formula-fed infants by using molecular identification and detection methods

BACKGROUND: An obvious difference between breast-fed and formula-fed newborn infants is the development of the intestinal flora, considered to be of importance for protection against harmful micro-organisms and for the maturation of the intestinal immune system. In this study, novel molecular identification methods were used to verify the data obtained by traditional culture methods and to validate the culture independent fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. METHODS: From each of six breast-fed and six formula-fed newborn infants, six fecal samples were obtained during the first 20 days of life. The microbial compositions of the samples were analyzed by culturing on specific media and by FISH, by using specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. The colonies growing on the media were identified by random amplified polymorphic DNA pattern analysis and by polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Molecular identification of the colonies showed that the selective media are insufficiently selective and unsuitable for quantitative analyses. Qualitative information from the culturing results combined with the data obtained by the FISH technique revealed initial colonization in all infants of a complex (adult-like) flora. After this initial colonization, a selection of bacterial strains began in all infants, in which Bifidobacterium strains played an important role. In all breast-fed infants, bifidobacteria become dominant, whereas in most formula-fed infants similar amounts of Bacteroides and bifidobacteria (approximately 40%) were found. The minor components of the fecal samples from breast-fed infants were mainly lactobacilli and streptococci; samples from formula-fed infants often contained staphylococci, Escherichia coli, and clostridia. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the differences in development of intestinal flora between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. The results obtained from the FISH technique were consistent. Although the repertoire of probes for this study was not yet complete, the FISH technique will probably become the method of reference for future studies designed to develop breast-fed-like intestinal flora in formula-fed infants.     

健康婴儿与过敏性疾病婴儿肠道双歧杆菌构建差异初探

目的 通过比较健康婴儿与过敏性疾病婴儿肠道双歧杆菌的构建规律,探讨婴儿肠道双歧杆菌与过敏性疾病的关系。方法 收集48例婴儿生后第0（胎便）、2、7、15天,1、6、12月时共7个时间点的粪便样品,其中22例在1岁以前患过过敏性疾病的婴儿组成过敏组,26例健康婴儿作为健康组,使用实时荧光定量PCR技术对婴儿粪便中双歧杆菌属及8种双歧杆菌菌种进行定性及定量分析。结果 两组婴儿在0~1月期间肠道双歧杆菌构建过程不同,健康组第2天表现出双歧杆菌下降的"重建"特征,而过敏组不存在此特征。过敏组第1月时双歧杆菌属的检出量低于健康组（P < 0.05）;第15天时B.breve的检出率低于健康组（P < 0.05）,且B.infantis定植延迟。结论 婴儿出生后0~1月的肠道双歧杆菌及其构建规律可能与过敏性疾病的发生有关,该时期可能是婴儿出生后过敏性疾病的防治关键期。