Microbiota and gut immunity in infants and young children

Abstract

The human gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining human health, particularly in the intricate relationship between stable microbial communities in the gastrointestinal tract and the early development of host immunity. After birth, the maturation of immune cells and the gut microbiome occur simultaneously, adapting to the complexities of the gut environment. The close link between the gut microbiome and the immune system has far-reaching implications, influencing the onset of several diseases in infants and young children, such as food allergies, necrotizing colitis, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Consequently, the composition of the infant gut microbiome serves as a predictive factor for disease risk and progression. The establishment of a symbiosis between the immune system and the gut microbiome has significant implications for susceptibility or resistance to disease later in life. Maternal factors, including mode of delivery and feeding practices, exert a significant influence on the infant gut microbiota.