The infant gut microbiota: a narrative review about development and external determinants.

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q3 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Pub Date : 2026-06-24 DOI:10.1017/S2040174426100488

Thielen Borba da Costa, Juliana Dos Santos Vaz, Simone Pieniz

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This narrative review examines the development of the infant gut microbiota during the early months of life, highlighting the impact of delivery mode and feeding practices on microbial colonization and overall infant health. The search was conducted using the Virtual Health Library and PubMed databases, with the descriptors "gut microbiota" combined with "breastfeeding" (BF) and "infant formula." After screening, 18 articles were selected for final analysis. Findings indicate that cesarean section reduces initial gut microbial diversity by 30%-50% and decreases Bifidobacterium colonization, while increasing the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium. In contrast, exclusive BF supports a more favorable microbial profile, enriched in bifidobacteria, and contributes to immune system maturation. The literature also highlights the importance of other genera, including Lactobacillus, Veillonella, and Firmicutes, in regulating inflammation, producing short-chain fatty acids, and protecting against pathogens. Supporting vaginal birth and exclusive BF emerges as a key strategy to promote a more resilient and health-promoting gut microbiota during infancy.

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婴儿肠道微生物群：关于发育和外部决定因素的叙述回顾。

这篇叙述性综述研究了生命最初几个月婴儿肠道微生物群的发育，强调了分娩方式和喂养方式对微生物定植和婴儿整体健康的影响。搜索是使用虚拟健康图书馆和PubMed数据库进行的，描述符是“肠道微生物群”结合“母乳喂养”（BF）和“婴儿配方奶粉”。经筛选，共选取18篇文章进行最终分析。研究结果表明，剖宫产使初始肠道微生物多样性减少30%-50%，双歧杆菌定植减少，而肠杆菌科和梭状芽胞杆菌的丰度增加。相比之下，独家BF支持更有利的微生物谱，富含双歧杆菌，并有助于免疫系统成熟。文献还强调了其他属的重要性，包括乳杆菌、细孔菌和厚壁菌门，在调节炎症、产生短链脂肪酸和保护病原体方面。支持阴道分娩和独家BF成为促进婴儿时期更有弹性和促进健康的肠道微生物群的关键策略。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

145

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： JDOHaD publishes leading research in the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). The Journal focuses on the environment during early pre-natal and post-natal animal and human development, interactions between environmental and genetic factors, including environmental toxicants, and their influence on health and disease risk throughout the lifespan. JDOHaD publishes work on developmental programming, fetal and neonatal biology and physiology, early life nutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of life, human ecology and evolution and Gene-Environment Interactions. JDOHaD also accepts manuscripts that address the social determinants or education of health and disease risk as they relate to the early life period, as well as the economic and health care costs of a poor start to life. Accordingly, JDOHaD is multi-disciplinary, with contributions from basic scientists working in the fields of physiology, biochemistry and nutrition, endocrinology and metabolism, developmental biology, molecular biology/ epigenetics, human biology/ anthropology, and evolutionary developmental biology. Moreover clinicians, nutritionists, epidemiologists, social scientists, economists, public health specialists and policy makers are very welcome to submit manuscripts. The journal includes original research articles, short communications and reviews, and has regular themed issues, with guest editors; it is also a platform for conference/workshop reports, and for opinion, comment and interaction.