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Composition and roles of intestinal microbiota in children

Alfredo Guarino1, Anna Wudy, Francesca Basile

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples, Naples, Italy. alfguari@unina.it

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|February 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

New molecular diagnostics reveal gut microflora

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Health
  • Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

  • The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem with dynamic host interactions.
  • Microbial diversity plays a crucial role in human health and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Update on new-generation molecular diagnostics for studying intestinal microflora.
  • Evaluate alterations in gut microbiota associated with human diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advances in understanding gut microbiota.
  • Focus on molecular diagnostic techniques.

Main Results:

  • Infant gut colonization differs between vaginal and cesarean delivery.
  • Vaginal delivery promotes maternal flora transfer (Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Bifidobacterium).
  • Cesarean delivery leads to less diverse flora; adult microbiomes cluster into enterotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microflora balance is key to human health.
  • Intestinal microflora can serve as a biomarker for diseases.
  • Microbiota represents a potential therapeutic target for intestinal and extra-intestinal conditions.
Abstract

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