Gut Microbiota in Infants between 6 and 24 Months of Age

摘要

The indigenous microbiota of an infant's gastrointestinal tract is created through complicated contact and interaction with the microbiota of the parents and the infant's immediate environment. Nature-induced initial colonization is enhanced by galacto-oligosaccharides in breast milk and the microbiota of the mother. This process directs the later microbiota succession and health of the infant throughout the rest of his/her life [1, 2]. Thus, understanding and positive guidance of the process through dietary means is an important target when facilitating the mother-infant relationship through birth, breastfeeding, weaning and the first years of life. This process forms the platform for healthy gut microbiota throughout the entire life and is described in figure 1 [3, 4].