Need Support? info@littlemiraclestrust.org.nz

Researcher finds gut bacteria behaves differently in those born premature

The answer to why premature babies have a greater risk of becoming obese could be in the gut.  

Researchers from Auckland University have found that bacteria behaved differently in children who were born at fewer than 32 weeks.  They were more likely to develop obesity and diabetes, Associate Professor Dr Justin O’Sullivan said.

In the recent, yet-to-be-published study, the research team looked at 100 8-year-old children in Auckland, half of which were born premature.  The researchers did not find differences in the types of gut bacteria in those children – but they did find the bacteria behaved differently.

O’Sullivan said he hoped the research would lead towards reducing the long-term risks for people born premature.

Read the full article on Stuff here

Thanks so much for sharing your personal story!

We get a lot of positive feedback from families in a neonatal unit who read these stories and feel strength, hope and positivity knowing that they are not alone going through these experiences and feeling certain emotions.

If you would like to discuss sharing the story of your neonatal journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Email Us

Support Us

If you want to help our support of families going through the stress and anxiety of a neonatal journey, you can donate via the link below.

  • The Little Miracles Trust provides support to families of premature or sick full-term babies as they make their journey through Neonatal Intensive Care, the transition home, and onwards. We do not receive any Government funding and are entirely reliant on the generosity of individuals, companies and organisations in the form of donations, value-in-kind donations, grants, sponsorship and fundraising events to supplement operating costs and fund our services and initiatives.
  • As we are a registered charity (CC56619) with Charities Services New Zealand we will send you an IRD compliant tax receipt – this will happen automatically by return email.
Donate Now