Metabolic activity of gut microbiota in children during their first year of life which had undergone partial bowel resection

Background. Studying the metabolic activity of gut microbiota has diagnostic value as it allows determination of the extent of microbiota perturbation, which is an important indicator of the post-operative gastrointestinal tract function.

Objective. The study aimed at investigating the metabolic activity of gut microbiota in children during their first year of life which had undergone partial bowel resection.

Methods. The spectrum of fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) was assessed using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Also, a comparative analysis of clinical and anamnestic data in children of the first year of life which had undergone partial bowel resection versus apparently healthy children was carried out.

Results. Dynamic follow-up of children which had undergone bowel surgery revealed a reduction in acetic acid (С2) fecal level and increased propionic acid (С3) and oleic acid (С4) levels by the end of the first year of life. An age-adjusted comparative estimate has shown that the markers of anaerobic microflora, specifically, the level of propionic acid, are also high at the age of 7–12 months. A comparative analysis of metabolic activity of gut microbiota in children which had undergone bowel resection revealed lower fecal levels of oleic acid and higher total fatty acid content as compared to healthy children.

Conclusion. Children which had undergone bowel resection, by the end of first year of life, have higher anaerobic and lower aerobic activity of gut microflora. A comparative analysis of metabolic activity of gut microflora in children which had undergone surgical treatment versus children of health groups I and II demonstrated the absence of significant differences between obligate (С2) and anaerobic (С3, anaerobic index [AI]) bacteria. However, lower fecal С4 values have been found in post-operative children during their second half-year of life, which may attest to persistent inflammation of the gut. Total fecal acid content throughout the entire follow-up period was higher in children which had undergone bowel resection, which reflects the activation of gut microbiota characterized by its species diversity.

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