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Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

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Current state of microbiota clinical applications in neonatal and pediatric bacterial infections

Thanh Thien Le1, Tram Ngoc Hoang2, Dylan Huy Do3,4

  • 1Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, College of Health Science, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Gut Microbes
|July 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The pediatric microbiota is vital for immune defense against bacterial infections. Maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is key for preventing infections and improving outcomes in children, especially those who are vulnerable.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The gut microbiota is critical for immune system development and protection against infections in infants and children.
  • An immature or disrupted microbiota increases susceptibility to bacterial infections, particularly in vulnerable populations like premature infants and immunocompromised children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical trials on the role of the microbiota in neonatal and pediatric bacterial infections.
  • To examine the impact of microbiota composition on infection risk, treatment responses, and adverse effects in children.
  • To evaluate the potential of microbiota-restorative interventions for preventing and treating pediatric bacterial infections.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of original research articles published between 2000 and May 2024.
  • Focus on studies concerning the microbiota and bacterial infections in neonates and children.
  • Analysis of microbiome signatures in various body sites (gut, oral, nasopharynx) and their association with infection.

Main Results:

  • Microbiota composition significantly influences infection risk, treatment efficacy, and side effects of therapies like antibiotics and chemotherapy.
  • Dysbiosis, often caused by antibiotic exposure or medical treatments, leads to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains.
  • Microbiota-restorative therapies (e.g., probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation) show promise in enhancing resilience against bacterial infections.

Conclusions:

  • A balanced microbiota is essential for preventing bacterial infections in children, especially in premature and immunocompromised individuals.
  • Judicious antibiotic use and exploration of microbiota-based therapies are crucial for mitigating long-term disruptions and improving pediatric health outcomes.
  • The microbiota holds significant potential for predicting and treating bacterial infections in pediatric populations.

Keywords:
Clostridioides difficileMicrobiomeacute lymphoblastic leukemiaantibioticsbloodstream infectioncancerchildrenfecal microbiota transplantationgut microbiomehematopoietic stem cell transplantationinfectionnasopharyngeal microbiomeneonatesoral microbiomepediatricsprobioticssepsisvolatile organic compounds

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