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Age and Mothers: Potent Influences of Children's Skin Microbiota

Ting Zhu1, Xing Liu1, Fan-Qi Kong2

  • 1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|August 18, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The skin microbiome in children changes with age and body site, influenced by maternal factors. This research explores early-life skin bacterial composition and its connection to immune development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The skin microbiome plays a crucial role in immune system development.
  • Limited research exists on the skin microbiota of young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in skin microbiota in children up to 10 years old.
  • To compare skin microbiota structures between children and their mothers.
  • To identify factors influencing the developing skin microbiome.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to analyze skin bacterial composition.
  • 158 children (≤10 years old) and 50 mother-child pairs were studied.
  • Skin samples were collected from the face, ventral forearm, and calf.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial composition varied significantly by sample location (face, forearm, calf) and age.
  • Relative abundance of Streptococcus and Granulicatella decreased with age.
  • Microbial alpha diversity increased with age, particularly on the face.
  • Facial microbiota in 10-year-olds was linked to birth mode.
  • Children's skin microbiota resembled their mothers' more than unrelated women's.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood skin microbiome composition is primarily determined by age and body site.
  • Maternal factors significantly influence a child's developing microbiome.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of infant microbiome maturation.

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