Physical development and its relationship to the metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota in young children

Abstract

Introduction. The metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota is an important indicator of the functioning of the digestive tract, one of the main functions of which is the absorption of nutrients.The aim of the study was to analyze the content of short chain fatty acids in feces and assess their relationship with the indicators of physical development in children 3 years of age.Materials and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted in 89 children 3rd year of life. The 1st observation group included children of the I and II health groups, the children of the 2nd group underwent surgical treatment on the intestine in the first months of life, the children of the3rd group are with atopic dermatitis. FD assessment was carried out in accordance with WHO recommendations (2017) the spectrum of FGC in feces was determined by gas-liquid chromatography.Results. It was determined the features of the rates of FD in healthy children, children with a history of intestinal resection and children with atopy in relation to the indicators of metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota. The percentile distribution of the values of FGC in feces and their comparative assessment in the observation groups are given.Discussion. The content of FGM in feces has differences depending on the health status of children of the 3rd year of life. Different level of FGC shows a close relationship with the indicators of FD. Conclusions. A decrease in growth rates (body length SD: from -1 to -2) was revealed at low values (<25%) of the amount of acids, with an increase in propionate (25%) in feces. Reduced nutrition (body weight SD: from -1 to -2) it was associated with low values of the sum of isoacids and AI(-) (<25%); by 3rd year of life, the risk of low nutrition decreased in 4 times with high values (75%) of the sum of acids in feces (OR=4.33[1.09-17.71]). The multidirectionality of the content of fecal matter in young children and their influence on the indicators of FD emphasizes the versatility of the functions of the intestinal microbiota, which has a local and systemic effect on the human body.