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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
07:15
An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
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Assessing the Intestinal Microbiota in the SHINE Trial
Ethan K Gough1, Andrew J Prendergast2, Kuda E Mutasa3
1Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Summary
The infant gut microbiota, influenced by feeding, may impact child growth and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED). Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and inform interventions for child stunting.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Pediatric nutrition
- Global child health
Background:
- Advances in DNA sequencing enable exploration of the human microbiota.
- Animal models suggest gut microbiota influences growth, but human data is limited.
- Studies linking infant gut microbiota, environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), and child stunting are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence connecting infant gut microbiota, feeding, EED, and stunting.
- To discuss potential causal pathways between these factors.
- To outline analytical approaches for investigating these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing evidence.
- Discussion of potential causal mechanisms.
- Description of planned analyses using data from the Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy (SHINE) trial.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a link between infant gut microbiota, feeding practices, and child growth outcomes.
- Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a potential mediator in the pathway to stunting.
- Specific microbial changes contributing to growth and EED require further elucidation.
Conclusions:
- The infant gut microbiota is a critical area for understanding child growth and development.
- Interventions targeting the gut microbiota may offer novel strategies to prevent EED and child stunting.
- Longitudinal studies with detailed exposure and outcome data are essential for causal inference.
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