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Gut microbiota of the very-low-birth-weight infant

Sharon Unger1, Alain Stintzi2, Prakeshkumar Shah1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Pediatric Research
|October 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The gut microbiota, crucial for infant health, develops after birth and impacts nutrient absorption and gut integrity. Disruptions in preterm infants can lead to serious conditions like sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • The human microbiome, particularly the gut microbiota, comprises trillions of microbial cells that significantly influence host health.
  • Microbiota development begins at birth and continues throughout childhood, playing a critical role in gastrointestinal function and nutritional status.
  • Dysbiosis, an imbalance in microbial communities, is increasingly linked to various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the establishment and development of the intestinal microbiota in infants.
  • To explore the impact of environmental factors and feeding strategies on microbiota composition.
  • To discuss the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease, especially in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing literature on gut microbiota development and its clinical implications.
  • It examines the contribution of microbiota to host nutrition and mucosal integrity.
  • The review analyzes the effects of different enteral feeding types on infant gut health.

Main Results:

  • The gut microbiota is essential for nutrient absorption, energy provision, and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining.
  • Perturbations in microbiota composition are associated with increased risk of infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, and systemic inflammation.
  • Enteral feeding strategies, including human milk and formula, significantly influence microbiota development and health outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in infant health, influencing development, nutrition, and protection against disease.
  • Understanding microbiota establishment and factors that perturb it is crucial for managing health in fragile infants, particularly preterm neonates.
  • Optimizing nutritional strategies, such as tailored enteral feeding, can promote a healthy gut microbiota and improve outcomes for high-risk infants.

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