Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome

Introduction and Study Aim: Preterm birth (<37 weeks) causes ~15 million births yearly and is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality [1]. These infants face developmental challenges, including disrupted microbial colonization and immature regulatory systems. Epigenetic modificat...

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Main Authors: Agnieszka Buliszak, Piotr Marcjasz, Anna Bioły, Monika Babczyńska, Agnieszka Borończyk, Piotr Zając
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-05-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60029
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author Agnieszka Buliszak
Piotr Marcjasz
Anna Bioły
Monika Babczyńska
Agnieszka Borończyk
Piotr Zając
author_facet Agnieszka Buliszak
Piotr Marcjasz
Anna Bioły
Monika Babczyńska
Agnieszka Borończyk
Piotr Zając
author_sort Agnieszka Buliszak
collection DOAJ
description Introduction and Study Aim: Preterm birth (<37 weeks) causes ~15 million births yearly and is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality [1]. These infants face developmental challenges, including disrupted microbial colonization and immature regulatory systems. Epigenetic modifications—heritable changes in gene expression without DNA sequence alteration—mediate environmental influences during this critical period [2]. This paper explores how the preterm microbiome and epigenetic mechanisms interact and influence health outcomes. Brief Description of Current Knowledge: The preterm gut microbiome shows reduced diversity and more hospital-acquired bacteria [3]. Cesarean delivery, antibiotics, and lack of maternal microbes contribute to this dysbiosis. Beneficial colonizers (e.g., bifidobacteria) are reduced, while pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae) increase, linked to NEC and sepsis. Epigenetic shifts also occur rapidly in response to inflammation and stress [3]. Microbial metabolites (e.g., butyrate, folate) can alter epigenetic programming [5], and prenatal epigenetic states may shape microbial colonization [2]. Summary/Conclusions: Microbiome-epigenome interactions may shape immunity and development beyond infancy. Disruptions may imprint harmful epigenetic changes. More research is needed to clarify mechanisms and guide interventions like probiotics or epigenetic therapies.
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issn 2450-3118
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
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series Quality in Sport
spelling doaj-art-337d8c23c3dc4c27bfa33e6ddcf51ccd2025-08-20T01:47:40ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.60029Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal MicrobiomeAgnieszka Buliszak0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2434-4775Piotr Marcjasz1https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8247-5200Anna Bioły2https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2246-3537Monika Babczyńska3https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8430-5838Agnieszka Borończyk4https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3866-9370Piotr Zając5https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1516-8487Medical University of Silesia, Ul. Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, PolandMedical University of Silesia, Ul. Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland Medical University of Silesia, Ul. Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland Medical University of Silesia, Ul. Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, PolandMedical University of Silesia, Ul. Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, PolandUpper Silesian Medical Center of Prof. Leszek Giec of the Silesian Medical University, Ziołowa 45-47, 40-635 Katowice – Ochojec Introduction and Study Aim: Preterm birth (<37 weeks) causes ~15 million births yearly and is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality [1]. These infants face developmental challenges, including disrupted microbial colonization and immature regulatory systems. Epigenetic modifications—heritable changes in gene expression without DNA sequence alteration—mediate environmental influences during this critical period [2]. This paper explores how the preterm microbiome and epigenetic mechanisms interact and influence health outcomes. Brief Description of Current Knowledge: The preterm gut microbiome shows reduced diversity and more hospital-acquired bacteria [3]. Cesarean delivery, antibiotics, and lack of maternal microbes contribute to this dysbiosis. Beneficial colonizers (e.g., bifidobacteria) are reduced, while pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae) increase, linked to NEC and sepsis. Epigenetic shifts also occur rapidly in response to inflammation and stress [3]. Microbial metabolites (e.g., butyrate, folate) can alter epigenetic programming [5], and prenatal epigenetic states may shape microbial colonization [2]. Summary/Conclusions: Microbiome-epigenome interactions may shape immunity and development beyond infancy. Disruptions may imprint harmful epigenetic changes. More research is needed to clarify mechanisms and guide interventions like probiotics or epigenetic therapies. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60029Gut microbiomePreterm infantsNeonatal intensive careProbioticsMicrobial metabolitesIntrauterine inflammation
spellingShingle Agnieszka Buliszak
Piotr Marcjasz
Anna Bioły
Monika Babczyńska
Agnieszka Borończyk
Piotr Zając
Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome
Quality in Sport
Gut microbiome
Preterm infants
Neonatal intensive care
Probiotics
Microbial metabolites
Intrauterine inflammation
title Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome
title_full Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome
title_fullStr Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome
title_full_unstemmed Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome
title_short Epigenetic Shifts in Preterm Neonatal Microbiome
title_sort epigenetic shifts in preterm neonatal microbiome
topic Gut microbiome
Preterm infants
Neonatal intensive care
Probiotics
Microbial metabolites
Intrauterine inflammation
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60029
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AT annabioły epigeneticshiftsinpretermneonatalmicrobiome
AT monikababczynska epigeneticshiftsinpretermneonatalmicrobiome
AT agnieszkaboronczyk epigeneticshiftsinpretermneonatalmicrobiome
AT piotrzajac epigeneticshiftsinpretermneonatalmicrobiome