Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

The faecal flora of children in the United Kingdom

R B Ellis-Pegler, C Crabtree, H P Lambert

    The Journal of Hygiene
    |August 1, 1975
    PubMed

    Insights

    The gut microbiome of artificially fed infants shows fewer bacterial groups than adults, with significant changes occurring between 4 and 12 months. By 1-4 years, the fecal flora largely resembles adult patterns, indicating infant gut development.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Pediatrics
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • The composition of the gut microbiome is crucial for infant health and development.
    • Artificial feeding protocols can influence the establishment of the infant gut microbiome.
    • Understanding the developmental trajectory of the fecal flora in infants is essential.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To characterize the fecal flora in artificially fed infants across a wide age range.
    • To compare the infant fecal microbiome with that of adults.
    • To identify key developmental stages in the establishment of the adult-like gut flora.

    Main Methods:

    • Faecal samples were collected from 55 artificially fed children (8 days to 8 years) and 16 adults.
    • Bacterial groups, including bacilli, lactobacilli, and yeasts, were quantified.
    • Microbial composition was analyzed and compared across different age groups.

    Main Results:

    • Youngest infants (8 days to <4 months) exhibited less complex and predictable fecal flora compared to adults.
    • Bacterial groups like bacilli, lactobacilli, and yeasts were rarely detected in the youngest infants.
    • Significant shifts towards an adult-like fecal flora pattern were observed between 4 and 12 months of age.
    • Children aged 1-4 years generally presented a fecal flora similar to adults, with infrequent isolation of lactobacilli.

    Conclusions:

    • Artificial feeding influences the early development of the infant gut microbiome.
    • The infant fecal microbiome undergoes substantial maturation between 4 and 12 months.
    • The gut flora of children aged 1-4 years closely approximates the adult state, highlighting a critical window for microbiome development.

    More Related Videos

    Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children10:42

    Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

    Published on: December 31, 2017

    Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens08:23

    Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens

    Published on: March 10, 2020

    Related Concept Videos

    Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

    Anatomy of the Intestines

    Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
    Small Intestines
    The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
    Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

    Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

    The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
    The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
    Development of Human Microbiota01:30

    Development of Human Microbiota

    The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
    Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

    Development of the Oral Microbiota

    The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
    Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

    Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

    The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
    Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

    Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

    The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...