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. 2009:2009:752401.
doi: 10.1155/2009/752401. Epub 2009 Sep 16.

The effects of maturation on the colonic microflora in infancy and childhood

P Enck  1 , K Zimmermann, K Rusch, A Schwiertz, S Klosterhalfen, J S Frick
Affiliations

The effects of maturation on the colonic microflora in infancy and childhood

P Enck et al. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2009.

Abstract

The composition of colonic mircoflora and its changes with maturation have rarely been investigated in large samples. Methods. We used conventional microbiological testing to analyse the colonic flora (Kyberstatus, Institut forMicroecology, Herborn, Germany) of stool samples from 12 484 children with different intestinal and nonintestinal diagnoses. Stool samples were analysed for total colony forming units (CFU) (per g stool) and the abundance of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides sp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., and Lactobacillus sp. with respect to age, gender. A subset of 1089 infants was analysed for monthly changes within the first year of life. Results. Total CFU and individual microbial species were highest during the first year of life, decreased within the first 2 years, and then stabilized for the remaining childhood. In infants, the total CFU rose until month 5, declined with weaning, and peaked at 9-10 months. Significant effects of age, but not of gender, were found in Bacteroides sp. and Lactobacilli. However Bacterioids sp. and Lactobacilli increased with age, while Enterococci and E. coli decreased, and Bifidobacteria remained stable. Conclusion. Colonic microflora show both a bacteria-specific and general pattern of maturation which is most profound within the first year.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age distribution (in years) in male and female subjects between 1 and 18 years.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Total CFU (mean ± SEM) by age (months) and by gender. “∗” indicate significant difference in post-hoc T-test (Bonferroni corrected). A number of boys and girls are infants (604 : 459 m : f) plus children up to 2 years.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Abundance (%) (mean ± SEM) by age (months) of E. coli, Enterococcus sp., as well as Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacteria, and Bacteroides sp.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Total CFU (mean ± SEM) by age (years) and by gender.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Abundance (%) (mean ± SEM) by age (years) of E. coli, Enterococcus sp., as well as Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacteria, and Bacteroides sp.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Stool consistency (mean ± SEM) (a) (1 = solid, 5 = liquid) and stool pH (mean ± SEM) (b) by gender and age (years).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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