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Developmental aspects of maternal-fetal, and infant gut microbiota and implications for long-term health

Josef Neu1

  • 1College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 S.W. Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610 USA.

Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology
|April 9, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Early life microbial exposures significantly impact infant health, influencing conditions like preterm delivery, allergies, and obesity. Research is exploring these crucial human microbiome effects for future health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Human host-microbe interactions
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Early life microbial colonization is critical for establishing host health.
  • The human microbiome plays a foundational role in immune system development.
  • Disruptions in early microbial exposure can predispose individuals to disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of the human microbiome on preterm delivery.
  • To discuss microbiome-related diseases in premature infants and childhood.
  • To explore microbiome's role in adult conditions like autoimmunity and obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on the human microbiome.
  • Analysis of studies linking early life microbial exposures to health outcomes.
  • Synthesis of findings on microbiome's influence across different life stages.

Main Results:

  • The human microbiome influences preterm delivery risk and outcomes.
  • Microbiome alterations are associated with infant diseases, allergies, and obesity.
  • Emerging evidence links the microbiome to autoimmune conditions and overall health phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • The human microbiome's role in health and disease is increasingly recognized.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand microbiome-mediated effects.
  • Investigating the microbiome offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
DevelopmentFetusMicrobiomeNeonate

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