Impact of Early Nutrition on the Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome develops in prenatal life and progresses through infancy and childhood. Identified factors that impact the quantity, quality, and diversity of the early gut microbiome include mode of delivery, early diet, environmental exposures, disease conditions, and treatment. Optimal gut health in childhood is impacted by microbiome stability and diversity. This narrative review provides an overview of the important factors including genetic, epigenetic, nutritional, and environmental exposures, playing a foundational role in establishing the early gut microbiome during the critical first 1000 days of human life and its impact on pediatric obesity, allergy, and gastrointestinal disease.

Automated summary

The development of the gut microbiome in prenatal life and early childhood is influenced by various factors such as mode of delivery, early diet, environmental exposures, disease conditions, and treatment. The stability and diversity of the gut microbiome during childhood are important for optimal gut health. This review highlights the foundational role of genetic, epigenetic, nutritional, and environmental factors in establishing the early gut microbiome and its impact on pediatric obesity, allergy, and gastrointestinal disease.