Neonatal Microbiome- can we Interfere?

Abstract

There is increasing body of evidence that microbiome is a major factor determining our health. In growing infants, dysbiosis can lead susceptibility of infections (especially necrotic enterocolitis), colic and general digestive discomfort. Also, dysbiosis is implicated in lifelong health, by increasing the risk of a wide range of diseases and medical conditions including allergy, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, digestive disorders, even psychological disorders such as autism, anxiety and depression. Early infancy is an important window for establishing host-microbiome interactions. Intestinal colonization is initiated as early as during fetal life and continues during delivery and early infancy. Among the most important factors that influence early colonisation are the mode of delivery and the gestational age of the newborn. During early infancy, there is a range of other very important factors that are implicated in the development of gut microbiome, such as duration of breastfeeding, infections and antibiotic use, as well as several environmental factors (family size, cultural and geographical influences, early exposure to animals). Better understanding of factors dictating early colonization can point out some possibilities to interfere during that critical period and enable wellbeing throughout the entire life.