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Intestinal microbiota during early life - impact on health and disease

Lotta Nylund1, Reetta Satokari1, Seppo Salminen1

  • 1Functional Foods Forum,University of Turku,Turku,Finland.

The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|June 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The early gut microbiome rapidly develops after birth, influenced by lifestyle and medical factors. Understanding these early influences is crucial for long-term health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The infant intestinal microbiota undergoes rapid development in early life, contrasting with its stability in adults.
  • Early-life microbial colonization is influenced by various lifestyle factors and medical interventions.
  • The host plays a significant role in the microbial colonization process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of early-life factors on intestinal microbiota development and subsequent health.
  • To provide an overview of microbial colonization steps and host involvement.
  • To discuss emerging early biomarkers linking microbiota to health outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on early-life microbiota.
  • Analysis of factors influencing microbial colonization.
  • Discussion of specific examples of microbiota associations with health conditions.

Main Results:

  • Early-life factors significantly shape the developing gut microbiota.
  • Specific associations identified include microbiota and atopic diseases, colic and early development, and antibiotic use impacts.
  • The host's role in microbial colonization is integral to development.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life microbiota development is dynamic and influenced by external factors.
  • Further clinical studies are needed to fully elucidate the long-term health implications of early-life microbiota.
  • Identifying early biomarkers is key to understanding microbiota-mediated health and disease.

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