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Development of gut microbiota along with its metabolites of preschool children

Jingjing Xiong1, Hongwei Hu1, Chuanzhi Xu2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Xishan District, Kunming, 650032, China.

BMC Pediatrics
|January 7, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The gut microbiome and its metabolites, including bile acids and short-chain fatty acids, mature significantly by six months in infants. This indicates a critical window for intestinal microflora development in children.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Investigating the dynamic changes in intestinal microbial communities and their metabolic functions during early childhood.
  • Understanding the development of gut microbiota and its associated metabolites like bile acids and short-chain fatty acids in healthy children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the alterations in intestinal microbial abundance and composition in healthy children from infancy to preschool age.
  • To analyze the changes in fecal bile acid and short-chain fatty acid levels corresponding to gut microbiota development.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal samples collected from 120 newborns and 150 children (6 months to 6 years).
  • Intestinal flora composition analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
  • Bile acids and short-chain fatty acids quantified via LC-MS and GC methods.

Main Results:

  • Intestinal microflora composition and function were unstable in newborns, improving by 6 months.
  • Microbiota stabilized and approached adult-like patterns after 2-3 years of age.
  • Levels of short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids correlated with gut microbiota maturation.

Conclusions:

  • The age of 6 months represents a potentially critical period for intestinal microflora development in children.
  • Early life gut microbiome development follows a distinct trajectory, influenced by microbial and metabolic changes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bile acidsChildren developmentGut microbiotaMicrobial metabolismShort chain fatty acids

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