Page 74 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 74
avje otrok in mladostnikov | health of children and adolescents 74 ulate the development of the brain and CNS. Therefore, the disturbances in
the assembly and maturation of the gut microbiota may impact development
of motor, social, and cognitive function (Diaz Heijtz, 2016). Furthermore, after
birth infant microbiota shape innate and acquired immunity and may have a
profound impact on the structure and function of the immune system e.g. (i)
low diversity and bacterial density may cause an impaired stimulation of se-
cretory IgA that can result in a reduced mucosal barrier function; (ii) bacterial
diversity was inversely associated with allergic sensitization; fecal microbiota
transplant from normal weight infant to germfree mice showed greater villus
height and crypt depth, as well as higher proliferating cells in the ileum than
recipients of low-weight infant microbiota (Ximenez & Torres, 2017). Based on
the data supporting the correlation between microbiota colonization and dis-
ease onset, there is also a great overall impact on long-term health. However,
the specific influencing factors and mechanisms need to be further explored.
Conclusions
Nutrition in the first years of life is one of the most important factors that can
significantly affect the wellbeing, development and health of the child. The first
years of children’s life are also recognized as an important factor in the devel-
opment of a healthy gut microbiota. Based on this literature review the pro-
tective role of breastmilk against numerous diseases such as diabetes and obe-
sity, was noted. Moreover, there are different microbial colonization patterns
of the gut between breastfed and formula-fed infants, with the latter achiev-
ing an early divergence toward an adult-like microbiota composition. Howev-
er, findings support the current WHO recommendation for exclusive breast-
feeding during the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding until at least 12
months. To sum up, while the infants gut microbiota effects both infant health
and long-term health, it is important to follow the nutritional guidelines in or-
der to establish its favourable composition.
References
AAGAARD, K., MA, J., ANTONY, K. M., GANU, R., PETROSINO, J., &
VERSALOVIC, J. (2014). The placenta harbors a unique microbiome.
Science Translational Medicine, 6(237), 237ra65. https://doi.org/10.1126/
scitranslmed.3008599
BIAGI, E., ACETI, A., QUERCIA, S., BEGHETTI, I., RAMPELLI, S., TURRO-
NI, S., SOVERINI, M., ZAMBRINI, A. V., FALDELLA, G., CANDELA,
M., CORVAGLIA, L., & BRIGIDI, P. (2018). Microbial Community Dy-
namics in Mother’s Milk and Infant’s Mouth and Gut in Moderately Pre-
term Infants. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. https://www.frontiersin.org/ar-
ticles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02512
BODE, L. (2012). Human milk oligosaccharides: Every baby needs a sugar ma-
ma. Glycobiology, 22(9), 1147–1162. https://doi.org/10.1093/glycob/cws074
the assembly and maturation of the gut microbiota may impact development
of motor, social, and cognitive function (Diaz Heijtz, 2016). Furthermore, after
birth infant microbiota shape innate and acquired immunity and may have a
profound impact on the structure and function of the immune system e.g. (i)
low diversity and bacterial density may cause an impaired stimulation of se-
cretory IgA that can result in a reduced mucosal barrier function; (ii) bacterial
diversity was inversely associated with allergic sensitization; fecal microbiota
transplant from normal weight infant to germfree mice showed greater villus
height and crypt depth, as well as higher proliferating cells in the ileum than
recipients of low-weight infant microbiota (Ximenez & Torres, 2017). Based on
the data supporting the correlation between microbiota colonization and dis-
ease onset, there is also a great overall impact on long-term health. However,
the specific influencing factors and mechanisms need to be further explored.
Conclusions
Nutrition in the first years of life is one of the most important factors that can
significantly affect the wellbeing, development and health of the child. The first
years of children’s life are also recognized as an important factor in the devel-
opment of a healthy gut microbiota. Based on this literature review the pro-
tective role of breastmilk against numerous diseases such as diabetes and obe-
sity, was noted. Moreover, there are different microbial colonization patterns
of the gut between breastfed and formula-fed infants, with the latter achiev-
ing an early divergence toward an adult-like microbiota composition. Howev-
er, findings support the current WHO recommendation for exclusive breast-
feeding during the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding until at least 12
months. To sum up, while the infants gut microbiota effects both infant health
and long-term health, it is important to follow the nutritional guidelines in or-
der to establish its favourable composition.
References
AAGAARD, K., MA, J., ANTONY, K. M., GANU, R., PETROSINO, J., &
VERSALOVIC, J. (2014). The placenta harbors a unique microbiome.
Science Translational Medicine, 6(237), 237ra65. https://doi.org/10.1126/
scitranslmed.3008599
BIAGI, E., ACETI, A., QUERCIA, S., BEGHETTI, I., RAMPELLI, S., TURRO-
NI, S., SOVERINI, M., ZAMBRINI, A. V., FALDELLA, G., CANDELA,
M., CORVAGLIA, L., & BRIGIDI, P. (2018). Microbial Community Dy-
namics in Mother’s Milk and Infant’s Mouth and Gut in Moderately Pre-
term Infants. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. https://www.frontiersin.org/ar-
ticles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02512
BODE, L. (2012). Human milk oligosaccharides: Every baby needs a sugar ma-
ma. Glycobiology, 22(9), 1147–1162. https://doi.org/10.1093/glycob/cws074
