title: Gut microbiota biomodulators, when the stork comes by the scalpel.
abstract: The microbial communities that reside in the human gut (microbiota) and their impact on human health and disease are nowadays one of the most exciting new areas of research. A well-balanced microbial intestinal colonization in early postnatal life is necessary for the development of appropriate innate and adaptive immune responses and to establish immune homeostasis later in life. Although the composition and functional characteristics of a 'healthy' gut microbiota remain to be elucidated, perturbations in the microbial colonization of an infant's gastrointestinal tract have been associated with an increased risk of short- and long-term immunologically mediated diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota biomodulators, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics may support disease prevention in infants who tend to have a delayed and/or aberrant initial colonization with reduced microbiota diversity (delivery by caesarean section, premature delivery, and excessive use of perinatal antibiotics). Under these dysbiosis conditions probiotics could act as 'surrogate' colonizers to prevent immune-mediated diseases. This review focuses on the influence of delivery mode on the colonization of the infant gastro-intestinal tract. In particular, it examines the manipulation of the gut microbiota composition through the use of gut microbiota biomodulators, in the management of aberrant initial gut colonization and subsequent consequences for the health of the offspring.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy. Electronic address: vito.miniello@libero.it.
authors: Vito Leonardo
authors: VL
authors: Miniello
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Colasanto
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Fernanda
authors: F
authors: Cristofori
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Diaferio
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Ficele
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Maria Serena
authors: MS
authors: Lieggi
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Santoiemma
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari-Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Via Amendola 270, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors: Ruggiero
authors: R
authors: Francavilla
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002585:Cesarean Section; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000276:immunology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D036801:Parturition
keywords: Caesarean delivery; Dysbiosis; Gut microbiota; Gut microbiota biomodulators; Prebiotics; Probiotics