Faculty

Clare Wall

The role of the gut microbiota in health and development during early childhood

The early stages of gut microbiome development are marked by unique temporal microbe uptake, colonisation, and selection, all of which have variable functional characteristics throughout time. This carefully managed microbial sequence begins at birth and continues until the microbiome acquires an adult-like makeup and function around 3 years of age. These many stages of microbiome development are increasingly becoming recognised as critical periods for immune and metabolic development which can impact on long term health. There have been several publications which have indicated age suitable microbiome development and specific microbiome characteristics which have been associated with later health issues.

Early life nutrition has been shown to be the most important modulator of the microbiome with
breastmilk seeding and modulating the microbiome with beneficial bacteria. The introduction of solid foods which are largely influenced by physiological development, culture and tradition has a significant impact on the change and development of the gut microbial diversity. There is a growing body of research on early life and child nutrition on the development of the microbiome and subsequent immunological and metabolic competence. However, there is still a significant knowledge gap, to enable us to provide suitable nutritional recommendations in order to maintain an age-appropriate microbiome for long-term health.

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