Age-Dependent Patterns of Gut Bifidobacterium Microbiome Diversity across child Cohorts in a Multi-Ethnic population, Western China

ABSTRACT High-throughput sequencing has provided unprecedented opportunities to elucidate the role of human gut microbiota. However, current studies have primarily focused on infant and adult cohorts, leaving biomarkers associated with the development of transitional children unclear, particularly in revealing geographic, multi-ethnic group underrepresented. Here, we analyzed fecal samples from 776 infants and children aged 0 to 15 years with amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA and groEL gene, representing multi-ethnic groups from different residential locations in the Yining region of Xinjiang. First, we systematically characterized the gut microbiota Spectrum of children in the Ili region. As age increases, the diversity and functional composition of the microbiota become richer and more stable, with Bifidobacterium consistently dominating the community. Utilizing Bayesian regression models, we identified a cluster of microbiota strongly associated with growth and development in children, which phylogenetically corresponds to Bifidobacterium breve . Finally, we included another similar study in the species-level of Bifidobacterium , and metrics of the age-related effect sizes showed heterogeneity across ethnic groups (Uyghur vs Han: β Deming = 4.40 and Kazakh vs Han: β Deming = 4.33). In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the developmental trajectories of the gut microbiome in children and its relationship with health. IMPORTANCE The intestinal microbial markers associated with the development of geographically diverse, multi-ethnic children, particularly those represented by Bifidobacterium species, have been elucidated in this study. Through the application of Bayesian regression models, we identified a microbiome profile closely linked to childhood growth and development, specifically phylogenetically aligned with Bifidobacterium breve . When incorporating a comparable study conducted at the species level of another Bifidobacterium , it was observed that age-related effect sizes varied among different ethnic groups, offering novel insights into the developmental trajectory of children’s gut microbiota and its implications for health.