Infant gut microbiota composition (IGM) (IGM)

The infant gut microbiota refers to the complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that colonize the gastrointestinal tract during the first years of life (Korpela & de Vos, 2022). This ecosystem plays a critical role in the development of the host's immune system, metabolic pathways, and the gut-brain axis (Stanton, 2017). Early-life colonization is influenced by factors such as delivery mode, diet (breast milk vs. formula), and antibiotic exposure (Leitch, 2016). Imbalances in this composition, known as dysbiosis, are linked to various pediatric and long-term conditions, including necrotizing enterocolitis, allergies, and metabolic disorders (Boutin et al., 2020). Therapeutic interventions often involve probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics designed to promote the growth of beneficial taxa like Bifidobacterium and restore ecological balance (MDPI, 2022). While not a single molecular target, the composition of the microbiota is increasingly viewed as a modifiable system for preventing and treating disease (Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2021). Drugs such as antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors can significantly disrupt this composition, leading to long-term health consequences (NIH, 2021). Monitoring biomarkers like alpha diversity and short-chain fatty acid levels helps assess the health and stability of this microbial community (NIH, 2024).

Other names

Infant gut microbiomeNeonatal intestinal microbiotaEarly-life gut microbiotaInfant intestinal flora

Modulation of the microbial ecosystem through the introduction of beneficial strains (probiotics), substrate provision (prebiotics), or elimination of taxa (antibiotics) to restore homeostasis and influence host signaling pathways.