Diet-microbe-host interaction in preterm infant health

Early life microbial dysbiosis may have short- and long-term consequences for an infant. Breastmilk and its components play an important role in gut development in term infants and help in reestablishing the microbiota. Prof. Christopher Stewart explained that maintaining the diet-microbiome-host interaction in infant health has four major components - the human milk microbiome, human milk bioactive components, the infant gut microbiome, and the host epithelial function or immunity. While all contribute individually, some work in synergy to have the best possible effects, especially for preterm health Prof. Stewart then discusses specific species of bacteria that are more abundant in healthy preterm infants may be related to their ability to utilize HMOs. They were found to be commensal/beneficial microbes that protects against the colonization by bacterial pathogens in premature neonates. SCFA is a byproduct, also producing postbiotics that promote barrier integrity, suppressing pro-inflammatory response thereby also strengthening immunity and allowing better equilibrium in the microbiota.