Fecal microbiome of premature infants Raw sequence reads. feces metagenome

The goal of this study is to examining fecal microbiome of premature infants over time in comparison to their clinical courses. We collected stool samples at 2 weeks or less, 3 weeks and 4 weeks from each infant with birth weight <1500g. DNA were extracted from raw stool, then the V4 region of 16s rRNA sequences were amplified and replicated using Illumina Miseq platform. Relative abundances of bacteria classifications were calculated. Pathogenic gram negative bacteria in the Gammaproteobacteria class are often present in high abundances prior to acute intestinal illnesses, such as necrotizing enterocolitis. Characterization of Gammaproteobacteria colonization in association with clinical course over time will provide useful information to identify premature infants with risks for intestinal diseases.