Early gut microbiota intervention in premature infants: Application perspectives

Area of Science:

• Neonatal immunology
• Microbiome research
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality, with incomplete intestinal immune development posing significant risks.
• The gut microbiota is crucial for intestinal immune system development, but premature infants are prone to dysbiosis, negatively affecting immune education.
• Gut microbiota dysbiosis in premature infants is linked to adverse immune system development and increased disease risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the characterization and mechanisms of gut microbiota and intestinal immunity in premature infants.
• To discuss the current status, safety, applicability, and future prospects of early intervention strategies for premature infants.
• To provide an overview of applications and identify knowledge gaps in early interventions for premature infant gut health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on gut microbiota and intestinal immunity in premature infants.
• Analysis of early intervention strategies, including probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and nutritional support.
• Synthesis of evidence on the impact of interventions on gut microbiota colonization and immune development.

Main Results:

• Premature infants exhibit high-risk gut microbiota dysbiosis, leading to impaired intestinal immune function.
• Early interventions demonstrate potential in improving the intestinal environment and promoting beneficial gut microbiota colonization.
• Various interventions (probiotics, FMT, nutrients) show differing safety profiles, applicability, and outcomes, with complex and incompletely understood mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a critical issue in premature infants, impacting immune development.
• Early interventions are vital for modulating gut microbiota and enhancing intestinal immunity in this vulnerable population.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and optimize the application of diverse early intervention strategies for premature infants.