Ekawaty Lutfia Haksari

Evaluation of stool microbiota signatures in two cohorts of Asian (Singapore and Indonesia) newborns at risk of atopy

BackgroundStudies have suggested that demographic and lifestyle factors could shape the composition of fecal microbiota in early life. This study evaluated infant stool microbiota signatures in two Asian populations, Singapore (n = 42) and Indonesia (n = 32) with contrasting socioeconomic development, and examined the putative influences of demographic factors on these human fecal associated bacterial signatures.ResultsLongitudinal analysis showed associations of geographical origin with Clostridium leptum, Atopobium and Bifidobacterium groups. Mode of delivery had the largest effect on stool microbiota signatures influencing the abundance of four bacterial groups. Significantly higher abundance of bacterial members belonging to the Bacteroides-Prevotella, Bifidobacterium and Atopobium groups, but lower abundance of Lactobacilli-Enterococci group members, were observed in vaginal delivered compared to caesarean delivered infants. Demographic factors influencing the structure of infants stool microbiota during the first year of life included breastfeeding, age of weaning, sibship size and exposure to antibiotics.ConclusionsDifferences in stool microbiota signatures were observed in relation to various demographic factors. These features may confound studies relating to the association of the structure of fecal microbiota and the predisposition to human modern disease.

Relationship between bottle feeding in supine position in infants and the presence of asthma among preschoolers

Background Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease. The risk factors of asthma are allergic factors, familial atopy, race, gender, and smoking during pregnancy. Other risk factors are gastroesophageal reflux and micro-aspiration which cause bronchospasm and bronchial hyperreactivity due to repeated airway irritation. Objective To determine the association between bottle feeding given in supine position before sleep time in the first year of life with asthma in 4 to 7 years old. Methods A case control study was conducted on pediatric patients from Sardjito Hospital and Muhammadiyah kindergarten, Yogyakarta. Two structured questionnaires were used; the first identified the case group (asthma) and control group (nonasthma), whereas the second one identified whether the subjects had bottle feeding in supine position in the first year of life or not. Results 122 subjects were studied, 62 subjects in asthma group and 60 in control group. In asthma group, feeding in supine position before sleep time in the first year had OR of 2.45 (95% CI 1.21 to 6.93), whereas regurgitation when bottle-feeding in supine position had OR of 4.53 (95% CI 1.54 to 13.16). Sudden cry when bottle-feeding in supine position had OR of 5.02 (95% CI 1.69 to 15.71). Asthma in the family increased risk of asthma [OR 3.12 (95% CI 1.16 to 6.50)] and atopicfamily has OR 3.25 (95% CI 1.01 to 6.27). Conclusion Bottle feeding in supine position before sleep time during first year oflife is associated with occurrence of asthma in preschool children.