Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

Postnatal development of intestinal microflora as influenced by infant nutrition

Lorenzo Morelli1

  • 1Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29100 Piacenza, Italy. lorenzo.morelli@unicatt.it

The Journal of Nutrition
|August 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The infant gut microbiome forms early, influenced by birth and feeding methods. Understanding this developing ecosystem is crucial for infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Physiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The infant gut microbiome is a developing ecosystem established post-birth.
  • Early-life gut barrier function is immature, allowing diverse bacterial colonization.
  • Mode of delivery and infant feeding significantly shape gut microflora composition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of infant gut microflora development.
  • To highlight the impact of early-life factors on microbial colonization.

Main Methods:

  • Review of culture-independent analyses of neonatal microflora.
  • Comparison of findings with traditional culture-based methods.
  • Focus on bacterial presence, including anaerobic species.

Main Results:

  • Culture-independent techniques confirm and expand upon culture-based findings.
  • New insights into the presence and role of anaerobic bacteria in infant guts.
  • Delivery mode and feeding type demonstrably influence microbial composition.

Conclusions:

  • Infant gut microbiome establishment is a dynamic process influenced by external factors.
  • Advanced analytical methods offer deeper understanding of early-life microbial communities.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the implications of infant microflora composition.

More Related Videos

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Recapitulating Suckling-to-Weaning Transition In Vitro using Fetal Intestinal Organoids08:15

Recapitulating Suckling-to-Weaning Transition In Vitro using Fetal Intestinal Organoids

Published on: November 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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 Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
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,...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...