Professor Nigel Field from University College London (UCL) discussed how ongoing research is linking the gut microbiome of newborns with the risk of childhood viral respiratory infections. This study is part of the UK Baby Biome Study, which has enlisted 3,476 newborns to examine the influence of early-life microbial composition on health outcomes later in life.
Preliminary findings indicate that the gut bacteria present in infants during their first week can significantly influence their health, particularly in connection with hospital admissions for respiratory infections. The research utilized whole genome sequencing and stool sample analysis from a subset of newborns, alongside their electronic health records, to assess health outcomes up to two years of age.
Babies with a specific combination of gut bacteria were found to have a reduced risk of hospitalization for viral lower respiratory infections. Further studies aim to explore the mechanisms behind these associations, including how certain microbes may affect immune system development.
Implications for maternal and neonatal care may shift toward supporting healthy microbiome development from birth. Future efforts will focus on identifying the ‘healthy’ neonatal microbiome and determining how best to facilitate its establishment through potential interventions.
- Why it matters: Understanding early microbiome development could lead to new interventions that enhance infant health and wellness, potentially reducing hospital visits for respiratory issues.
- The latest: The Baby Biome Study’s findings have opened the door for further exploration into the causative factors of respiratory infections in children.
Source: https://hospitalhealthcare.com/clinical/respiratory/professor-nigel-field-on-the-gut-microbiome-and-preventing-childhood-viral-infections/
Source: https://hospitalhealthcare.com/clinical/respiratory/professor-nigel-field-on-the-gut-microbiome-and-preventing-childhood-viral-infections/