Intestinal Microbiota in Infants: Factors Influencing its Composition and Developm

Abstract

The newborn gastrointestinal tract is believed to be basically sterile and rapidly colonized with bacteria immediately after birth by maternal and environmental bacterial exposure. In this article, we first describe the importance of the intestinal and vaginal microbiota of mothers, and show how factors such as mother-to-infant transmission, mode of delivery and type of feeding are involved in the development of newborns’ intestinal microbiota. In addition, we report the cases of asymptomatic infection and colonization of pathogenic bacteria that are peculiarly observed in infancy. Finally, we introduce an intervention test for probiotic targeting for neonates and infants.