The infant microbiome development: mom matters

Noel T Mueller; Elizabeth Bakacs; Joan Combellick; Zoya Grigoryan; Maria G Dominguez-Bello

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2014.12.002

The infant microbiome development: mom matters

Trends Mol Med. 2015 Feb;21(2):109-17. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2014.12.002. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Authors

Noel T Mueller¹, Elizabeth Bakacs², Joan Combellick³, Zoya Grigoryan², Maria G Dominguez-Bello⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Institute of Human Nutrition and Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
² Division of Translational Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
³ School of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Division of Translational Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: Maria.Dominguez-Bello@nyumc.org.

Abstract

The infant microbiome plays an essential role in human health and its assembly is determined by maternal-offspring exchanges of microbiota. This process is affected by several practices, including Cesarean section (C-section), perinatal antibiotics, and formula feeding, that have been linked to increased risks of metabolic and immune diseases. Here we review recent knowledge about the impacts on infant microbiome assembly, discuss preventive and restorative strategies to ameliorate the effects of these impacts, and highlight where research is needed to advance this field and improve the health of future generations.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Female
Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
Humans
Infant
Infant Welfare*
Male
Microbiota*
Mothers
Pregnancy

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding