Dynamics of the preterm gut microbiome in health and disease

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Infant health
• Metagenomics

Background:

• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in human health and disease.
• Preterm infants have a vulnerable gut microbial ecosystem susceptible to disruption.
• Altered gut microbiomes in preterm infants are associated with severe conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis, and may influence long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent literature on the development of the preterm infant gut microbiome during the perinatal period.
• To examine host-microbiome-environmental factors contributing to dysbiosis linked to NEC and sepsis.
• To discuss strategies for microbiome manipulation, including probiotics and prebiotics, to mitigate dysbiosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on preterm infant gut microbiome development.
• Analysis of factors influencing the development of dysbiotic microbial patterns.
• Discussion of interventions such as probiotics and prebiotics.

Main Results:

• The preterm gut microbiome's origins and developmental patterns are complex.
• Specific host, microbiome, and environmental factors are associated with dysbiosis.
• Probiotics and prebiotics show potential for modulating the preterm gut microbiome.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the preterm gut microbiome is critical for infant health.
• Identifying factors contributing to dysbiosis can inform preventative strategies.
• Further research is needed to optimize microbiome-targeted interventions for preterm infants.