Intestinal microbiota development in the premature neonate: establishment of a lasting commensal relationship?
The gastrointestinal tract of premature infants is a highly fragile organ due to numerous developmental immaturities. Exposure to luminal microbes in the first several weeks of these infants' lives may play a significant role in the development of short-term disease and may have profound effects on long-term health. New non-culture-based techniques are providing exciting new insights into how the intestinal microbiota of premature infants develops and relates to health. A brief summary of recent research in this area is presented, which may be adapted to nutritional strategies for disease prevention.
Mshvildadze
Maka
M
Georgian Institute of Perinatal Medicine, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Neu
Josef
J
Mai
Volker
V
D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D019936:Probiotics