Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
06:51
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model
Published on: July 28, 2023
2.0K
The human neonatal gut microbiome: a brief review
Emily C Gritz1, Vineet Bhandari1
1Division of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale Child Health Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT , USA.
Frontiers in Pediatrics
|March 24, 2015
Summary
The neonatal gut microbiome
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Microbiome Research
- Neonatal Studies
Background:
- Genomics has advanced, enabling detailed study of the human microbiome.
- The neonatal gut microbiome is a key area of genomic research.
- Understanding its origins and establishment is crucial for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on neonatal gut microbiome origins.
- To examine influences of nutrition and gestational age.
- To explore dysbiosis in relation to infant diseases and probiotic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies.
- Analysis of factors affecting neonatal gut microbiome establishment.
- Examination of evidence for pre- and probiotic supplementation.
Main Results:
- Neonatal gut microbiome development is influenced by in utero factors, feeding type (breastfed vs. formula-fed), and gestational age (term vs. preterm).
- Microbiome dysbiosis is linked to infant conditions like obesity and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants.
- Enteral pre- and probiotic supplementation shows promise in preventing and treating NEC in premature infants.
Conclusions:
- The neonatal gut microbiome's early establishment is critical.
- Dysbiosis poses risks for infant health, including NEC.
- Probiotic interventions warrant further investigation for NEC prevention and treatment in preterm infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
50
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...
50
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
44
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,...
44
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
104
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,...
104
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
92.5K
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 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...
92.5K
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
49
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...
49
01:22Gut-Brain Axis
122
The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such...
122