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The microbiome and childhood diseases: Focus on brain-gut axis

Siobhain M O' Mahony1,2, Roman M Stilling2, Timothy G Dinan2,3

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Birth Defects Research. Part C, Embryo Today : Reviews
|December 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Early life gut microbiota colonization is influenced by various factors, potentially impacting childhood diseases like autism and obesity. Understanding these interactions is key to addressing rising health concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Health
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Rising incidence of childhood diseases including autism spectrum disorders, allergies, and obesity.
  • Environmental factors are implicated, but mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Growing evidence suggests a crucial role for gastrointestinal microbiota and early-life colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors influencing early-life microbiota colonization.
  • To examine the developing systems affected by microbiota alterations.
  • To explore the link between early-life gut microbiota and childhood disease manifestation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on gut microbiota and early development.
  • Analysis of factors impacting microbial colonization in infants.
  • Correlation studies between gut microbiota composition and disease outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Identified key environmental and lifestyle factors influencing gut microbiota establishment.
  • Demonstrated the impact of altered microbiota on immune and neurological system development.
  • Highlighted specific microbial profiles associated with increased risk of childhood diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life gut microbiota colonization is a critical window for health.
  • Perturbations in microbiota can have long-term consequences, contributing to chronic childhood diseases.
  • Targeting early-life microbiota may offer novel therapeutic strategies for disease prevention.

Keywords:
child developmentmicrobiome

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