Investigation on the impact of continuous colonization of Bifidobacteria during early life on child’s health

ISRCTN ISRCTN25216339
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN25216339
Secondary identifying numbers YAK.2.C.A.
Submission date
08/03/2016
Registration date
11/03/2016
Last edited
19/08/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Digestive System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
The human gut plays host to tens of trillions of different bacteria, which are known as the “gut flora”. The bacteria present in the gut flora are often referred to as “good” or “friendly” bacteria, because they assist in digestion and help to produce important vitamins for the body. One of the most common groups of bacteria that live in the gut is bifidobacteria, also known as lactic acid bacteria. Having the right levels and a good variety of gut bacteria is important for healthy development in children and good general health. It is thought that the colonization of the gut with different types of bacteria begins early in life, and can be affected by their inherited characteristics (genetic profile), how they are born (natural delivery or caesarian section) and whether they are breast fed. An initial study looked at the development of bacterial colonization in the gut by assesseing faecal samples (excrement), and the components of breast milk to see if it plays a role. This follow up study is conducted when the child is aged between 4 and 7 years old aims to look at the colonization of the gut (particularly the bifidobacteria) in childhood, and whether it has an effect on the child’s health.

Who can participate?
Children aged between 4 and 7 who took part in the initial study as a baby.

What does the study involve?
The parent/guardian of the child completes a number of questionnaires about their child’s health and disease history and the child is observed by a researcher in order to assess their personality. The child also provides two faeces samples 7-9 days apart so that the levels of bacteria present in their gut, particularly bifidobacteria, can be measured.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no anticipated benefits or risks for participants involves in this study.

Where is the study run from?
Research Unit Stuivenberg (Belgium)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2015 to September 2016

Who is funding the study?
Yakult Honsha European Research (Belgium)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Steven Ramael (scientific)
2. Dr Junji Fujimoto (scientific)
Junji.fujimoto@yher.be

Contact information

Dr Steven Ramael
Scientific

ZNA Stuivenberg
Lange Beeldekensstraat 267
Antwerpen
2060
Belgium

Dr Junji Fujimoto
Scientific

Yakult Honsha European Research Center for Microbiology, ESV
Technologiepark 4
Gent-Zwijnaarde
9052
Belgium

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-7009-4685
Phone +32 9 241 11 34
Email Junji.fujimoto@yher.be

Study information

Study designSingle-centre observational trial
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleThe Follow-up Study of YAK.1.C.A: Investigation on the impact of continuous colonization of Bifidobacteria during early life on child’s health
Study hypothesisThe aim of this study is to investigate if the presence of bifidobacteria during early life, analyzed
in Study Yak.1.C.A., and its persistence impact on child’s health and personality.
Ethics approval(s)Commissie voor Medische Ethiek-Ziekenhuis Nerwek Antwerpen, 07/04/2016
ConditionIntestinal microbiota
InterventionLegally acceptable representative will fill out questionnaires regarding the subject’s disease
history and demographic as well as the Children’s Behaviour Questionnaire in order to examine
their personality. Two faecal samples for each subject will be collected with an interval of 7 to 9
days for microbiological analysis.
Intervention typeNot Specified
Primary outcome measureThe study consists of “Screening day (S)”, “First faecal delivery day (F1: within 28 days after
Screening day)” and “Second faecal delivery day (F2: within 7 to 9 days after F1)”. Subjects will
not be allowed to drink fermented milk between F1 and F2
1. Subject’s disease history will be collected by questionnaire on F1, and additionally on F2 in
order to follow the disease occurrence in the interval
2. Subject’s demographics will be collected by questionnaire on S, and additionally on F1 and F2
in order to follow the status of fermented milk and intestinal drugs (e.g. antibiotics) ingestion in
the intervals
3. Children’s personality will be assessed based on Children’s Behavior Questionnaire collected
on F1
4. Faecal microbial composition, diversity and the absolute number of specific bacteria will be
analyzed by 16S rRNA metagenomics or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting
bacterial DNA extracted from the faeces collected on F1 and F2. Preserved bacterial DNA from
Study YAK.1.C.A. will also be analyzed.
5. Persistence of bifidobacteria from early life will be evaluated by comparing the homogeneity
of bifidobacterial strains isolated from faeces collected on F2 to those isolated in Study YAK.1.
C.A. by using multilocus sequence typing (MLST)
Secondary outcome measuresNo secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date15/11/2015
Overall study end date15/09/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupChild
Lower age limit4 Years
Upper age limit7 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants111 participants (maximum)
Total final enrolment49
Participant inclusion criteriaMale or female subjects aged between 4 and 7, who participated as a neonate in Study Yak.1.C.A.
Participant exclusion criteria1. Participation in another clinical study during the study or within 30 days prior to entry in this study
2. A condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could compromise the well-being of the subject or course of the study, or prevent the subject from meeting or performing any study requirements
Recruitment start date21/03/2016
Recruitment end date31/07/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Belgium

Study participating centre

SGS LSS. Clinical pharmacology Unit Antwerpen
Lange Beeldekensstraat 267
Antwerpen
2060
Belgium

Sponsor information

Yakult Honsha European Research Center
Industry

Technologiepark 4
Gent-Zwijnaarde
9052
Belgium

Website http://www.yakult.co.jp
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03wmnrc91

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/09/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in repository
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer reviewed journal.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 12/12/2018 19/08/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

19/08/2019: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
13/04/2016: Ethics approval information added.

This study is a follow up of the YAK.1.C.A study, available at http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN66704989.