Neonatal intestinal dysbiosis

Abstract

The initial colonization of the neonatal intestinal tract is influenced by delivery mode, feeding, the maternal microbiota, and a host of environmental factors. After birth, the composition of the infant's microbiota undergoes a series of significant changes particularly in the first weeks and months of life ultimately developing into a more stable and diverse adult-like population in childhood. Intestinal dysbiosis is an alteration in the intestinal microbiota associated with disease and appears to be common in neonates. The consequences of intestinal dysbiosis are uncertain, but strong circumstantial evidence and limited confirmations of causality suggest that dysbiosis early in life can influence the health of the infant acutely, as well as contribute to disease susceptibility later in life.

Fig. 1. Neonatal intestinal dysbiosis and disease risk.

a Normal colonization of the infant gut is shaped by environmental factors, maternal microbes and breast milk (human milk oligosaccharides). Colonizing microbes influence development of the intestinal innate and adaptive immune systems. b Several factors result in dysbiosis increasing risk for neonatal conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis and long-term health issues such as autoimmune diseases, atopy and obesity. Copyright Satyan Lakshminrusimha.

Fig. 2. Contributors and consequences of intestinal dybiosis.

Factors influencing the intestinal microbiota in preterm and term infants are presented at the left and top of the figure with diseases associated with intestinal dybiosis to the right.