Gut microbiota and the development of pediatric diseases

Abstract

The human gut harbors a huge number of microbes, which are collectively named ''microbiota.'' The dynamic composition of the human gut microbiota is determined by multiple factors, including mode of delivery, diet, environment, and antibiotics. A healthy gut microbiota is helpful to the host in many aspects, including providing nutrients, protection from pathogens, and maturation of immune responses. Dysbiosis plays important roles in various diseases in infancy and later life: necrotizing enterocolitis, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and atopic diseases are some examples. Studies of functional metagenomics by newly developed techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, will not only elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying gut microbiota-host interactions but will also provide new possibilities for disease prevention and treatment.

Antibiotics in the first year of life and subsequent neurocognitive outcomes

“…Recent publications have reviewed the link between antibiotic use in human populations and the resulting impact on the gut microbiota (15,29). Associations between antibiotic use in early life and later allergic disease and obesity have been reported in a number of studies and have been recently reviewed (19,20). Our study contributes to the growing body of evidence in this field by being the first to show a link between early antibiotic use in the first year of life and later behavioural, emotional and cognitive outcomes during childhood.…”

“…In animal models, antibiotic use in early life has been shown to increase risk of central adiposity and obesity in rodents (16), and this has more recently been shown in human studies (17,18). Two recently published reviews have summarised the literature indicating a link between antibiotic exposure and later disease including allergy and obesity (19,20). To date, the effect of early antibiotic use on later cognitive behavioural and emotional outcomes has not been examined.…”

Differences in the paranasal sinuses between germ‐free and pathogen‐free mice

“…Commensal bacteria of the gut, for example, may take up to 6 months to recover fully from an antibiotic insult . Improved hygiene in developed nations and repeated courses of antibiotics in the first 2 decades of life may cause dysbiosis and heightened immune sensitivity, leading to inappropriate responses to usually harmless or commensal microbiota in our environment and chronic inflammation …”

The Risk of Developing Constipation After Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

“…Advances in next generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized molecular biology research and increased understanding of the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of certain diseases. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota has been linked to pediatric diseases including NEC, asthma and atopic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity (4). In addition, constipation is one of the most common childhood disorders, accounting for 10-25% of pediatric gastroenterology visits (5,6).…”