Kids with Fluctuating Gut Microbiome Show Poorer Growth
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Gut Microbiome Stability Linked to Growth in Malnourished Children
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The Link Between Gut Health and Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a leading cause of death in children under age 5, with nearly 150 million children globally under this age experiencing stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in st. Louis have long recognized that dysfunctional gut microbial communities play a meaningful role in triggering malnutrition,a finding established over a decade ago.
Now, a collaborative effort with the Salk Institute and UC San Diego has revealed that toddlers in Malawi – a region severely impacted by malnutrition – who exhibited fluctuating gut microbiomes demonstrated poorer growth compared to children with more stable microbial ecosystems. All children involved in the study were at high risk for stunting and acute malnutrition.
“We know gut microbes are vital mediators of malnutrition,” said Mark J. Manary, MD, the Helene B. Roberson Professor of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine, and a leading expert in malnutrition. “By contributing to our understanding of how changes in gut microbes directly contribute to the condition, we pave the way for new methods to diagnose and treat millions of affected children worldwide.”
The findings, published in Cell, establish a valuable resource: a pediatric microbial genome library. this public health database contains complete genetic profiles of 986 microbes from fecal samples collected over nearly a year from eight Malawian children. it will serve as a foundation for future studies aimed at predicting, preventing, and treating malnutrition.
Better Growth with a Stable Gut Microbiome
Over two decades ago, Dr. Manary pioneered the introduction of a peanut butter-based, therapeutic food to combat severe acute undernutrition in Malawi. This country in sub-Saharan Africa faces a significant challenge, with 37% of children affected by stunting. He developed and clinically tested this high-calorie, nutrient-rich paste, which has since become the global standard of care for severe acute malnutrition, saving countless lives.
However, children who survive severe acute malnutrition often experiance long-term challenges affecting metabolism, bone growth, immune function, and brain progress. Simply providing sufficient nutrients for recovery isn’t enough to ensure optimal growth and thriving, Dr. Manary explains.
Malnutrition disrupts the balance of the gut microbiome – the complex community of bacteria and other microorganisms residing in the intestines – reducing the abundance of beneficial microbes and increasing the prevalence of those that cause disease. The researchers hypothesized that improving the health of malnourished children hinges on understanding the dynamic changes within this gut ecosystem.
Understanding the Fluctuations
The study revealed that children with unstable microbiomes experienced frequent shifts in the types and abundance of microbes present. This instability was correlated with slower growth rates. Researchers believe these fluctuations may impair the gut’s ability to efficiently absorb nutrients from food, hindering growth and development.
The Pediatric Microbial Genome Library
The newly created genome library is a