Early-Life Gut Microbial Composition

Abstract The human intestinal microbiota plays a significant role in host metabolism and physiology. The early-life microbiota undergoes subtle changes, mainly during the first 1,000 days, and can be affected by many factors such as mode of delivery and feeding, maternal diet, family structure, disease, medication, and environment. While acquisition of particular microbial arrays is associated with healthy infants and adults, an altered microbiota is linked with various illnesses. For instance, a disrupted neonatal microbiome due to cesarean or excessive antibiotic exposure may result in increased predisposition to allergic, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases in later life. Although mechanisms underlying these correlations are not yet fully elucidated, emerging evidences are indicating that the early-life microbial composition is critical to health. Hence, its more comprehensive understanding can offer great avenues for health interventions.