Establishment of the gut microbiome in early life: A target for promoting later health

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a key role in the maintenance of human health and, therefore, the microbial colonization of the newborn poses important implications for later health, with accumulating evidence supporting the key role of the neonatal period for the microbiota-induced maturation of the host. The initial establishment of the microbiome and its further development are affected by several factors. Unfortunately, our knowledge on this early process is still limited. Thus understanding the development of the microbiota in infants is of critical importance. Understanding the establishment of the microbiome in early life promises allowing the development of intervention strategies, such as the use of probiotics and/or prebiotics, for assisting the process of establishment of the microbiome to reduce the later risk of disease.