Saed News: Study findings suggest that gut bacteria may be responsible for a rare food allergy in children.
According to SAEDNEWS, citing HealthDay News, a new study says that gut bacteria may contribute to problems in children who suffer from a rare but serious food allergy called Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES).
Researchers reported that children with FPIES have a gut bacterial pattern that is significantly different from that of healthy children.
Katrina Simonite Sjödin at Umeå University in Sweden said in a press release: “Our results show clear differences in the bacterial composition of the gut in children with FPIES, an area where knowledge has so far been limited.”
Researchers explained that FPIES occurs without the typical allergy antibodies, and its symptoms appear more slowly, primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract rather than causing rashes or respiratory problems.
They added that the condition usually begins in infancy and can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhea, and circulatory problems.
Anna Winberg at Umeå University and lead researcher said: “FPIES is a challenging clinical diagnosis, and today we lack reliable biomarkers. By linking clinical observations with detailed analysis of the gut microbiome, we can gradually build a more coherent picture of this disease.”
For the study, researchers compared stool samples from 56 newly diagnosed children with FPIES and 43 children without allergies.
Results showed that FPIES is clearly associated with differences in gut bacteria. Children with FPIES had lower levels of Bifidobacterium and Verrucomicrobiota, while bacteria such as Bacteroides, Haemophilus, and Veillonella were more abundant.
Researchers also found that nearly all food triggers were associated with lower levels of Verrucomicrobiota, including corn, eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, and banana.
They noted that the gut microbiome changes with age, but FPIES remained an independent factor affecting gut bacteria regardless of age.
In their paper, researchers wrote that Bifidobacterium provides multiple benefits for developing infants, including aiding breast milk digestion, promoting gut health, and supporting immune system maturation.
Similarly, Verrucomicrobiota is important for maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier and preventing absorption of potential allergens.
However, the team could not explain why some children develop a gut bacterial profile associated with FPIES. Their analysis ruled out factors such as cesarean delivery or antibiotic treatment as the sole cause of the condition.
