Importance of gut microbiota in health and diseases of new born infants

Abstract

The multifarious assortment of microorganisms present in gut of humans is termed as gut microbiota. These include 1,000 species accompanied by approximately 2 million genes in an individual adult. The gut microbiota has multifactorial protective roles against allergic reactions, inflammation, cardiac pathological states and even in the state of malignant carcinogenesis existing in humans. By contrast, adverse alterations in the microbiota result in chronic pathological states, including autoimmune diseases, cancer and circulatory system obstructions. Gut bacteria also maintain sensitivity towards nutritional changes as well as antibiotics. The present review article focused on the importance of gut bacteria in newborn infants with special reference to their protective role in various pediatric pathological states linked with gut bacteria. In addition, the importance of probiotics in relation to gut microbiota are to be discussed.

Keywords: bacteria; gut; infants; microbiota; preterm.

Figure 1.

Major unrooted phylogenetic tree showing gut microbiota components in healthy adults. The size of the triangle indicates relative abundance, and the orientation of limbs denotes similar morphology.

Figure 2.

Interaction between gut microbiota, metabolites, inflammation and immunity at the gut mucosa. SCFA, short chain fatty acids; BCFA, branched chain fatty acids; SIgA, secretory immunoglobulin A.