Gut Talk Series: Microbiota and Its Impact on Gut Health in Children

The human body is host to trillions of microbes that participate in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes that affect host health throughout the life stages. These findings suggest that the risk of acquiring diseases may be programmed during the fetal developmental period and early life and that the early microbiota plays a dominant role in future health.  Dysbiosis refers to altered gut microbiota composition and/or activity and is, at least in part, related to various chronic gastrointestinal disorders such as functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), colic, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Different factors such as breastfeeding, vaginal delivery and use of pro and prebiotics can influence the development of a healthy intestinal microbiota and prevent dysbiosis in children