An Overview of Early-Life Gut Microbiota Modulation Strategies.

Abstract

Background: The gut microbiota, or microbiome, is essential for human health. Early-life factors such as delivery mode, diet, and antibiotic use shape its composition, impacting both short- and long-term health outcomes. Dysbiosis, or alterations in the gut microbiota, is linked to conditions such as allergies, asthma, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Summary: This article reviews current strategies to influence the early-life gut microbiome and their potential health impacts. It also briefly summarizes guidelines on using biotics for gastrointestinal and allergic diseases in children. Key strategies include vaginal or fecal microbiota transplantation for cesarean-born infants, breastfeeding, and biotic-supplemented formulas. While vaginal microbial transfer and maternal fecal microbiota transplantation show short-term benefits, further research is needed to determine long-term safety and efficacy. Breast milk, rich in human milk oligosaccharides, promotes a healthy microbiota and offers protection against infections. Biotic-supplemented formulas can improve the gut microbiota in formula-fed infants and show clinical effects, though each biotic must be evaluated separately. Probiotics given as dietary supplements outside of infant formulas show promise for treating gastrointestinal disorders but require further investigation.