Page 40 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 40
avje otrok in mladostnikov | health of children and adolescents 38 mune and metabolic homeostasis and protection against pathogens (Thursby
and Juge, 2017). The first contact of gut newborn with microbiota occurs al-
ready during pregnancy and is shaped mostly during first years of life (Nuri-
el-Ohayon et al., 2016).
Although the composition of gut microbiota is very dynamic during the
first year of life, the microbial diversity is low. Approximately at the end of the
first year of life, the microbial population stabilizes and reaches a more com-
plex structure and becomes more similar to the adult microbiota by the age of
3 years (Marques et al., 2010; Mueller et al., 2015). Some authors state that the
child’s microbiota still differs in composition and diversity from the adult mi-
crobiota by the age of 5 years (Bertelsen et al., 2016).
The development and composition of gut microbiota is influenced by ma-
ny factors including the mode of delivery (caesarean section or vaginal deliv-
ery), feeding (breastfeeding or milk formula), mother’s health condition, the
use of medications especially antibiotics and environment (Binns and Lee,
2010; Marques et al., 2010). Factors such as caesarean section, feeding with milk
formulations, premature birth and the use of antibiotics are considered to have
an unbeneficial effect on the composition of the gut microbiota (Bertelsen et
al., 2016).
Unsuccessful microbial establishment during early life can lead to health
problems and diseases later in life (Hashemi et al., 2016). Altered composi�-
tion of gut microbiota or dysbiosis refers to imbalance between beneficial and
harmful bacteria (Butel, 2014; Mizock, 2015). Changes in the microbiota are as-�
sociated with the development of many pathological conditions, such as in-
fantile colic, inflammatory bowel syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, asthma,
atopic diseases, celiac disease, diabetes, mood disorders and autism spectrum
disorders (Baldassarre et al., 2018). The state of dysbiosis can significantly af�-
fect also the immune system development and can lead to autoimmune dis-
eases (Vangay et al., 2015). There is a two-way communication path between gut
along with residence microbiota and central nervous system that is now recog-
nised to modulate the intestinal homeostasis and can affect also the well-be-
ing and cognitive abilities of the host (Carabotti et al., 2015). The gut microbi�-
ota can be altered by a number of health conditions, such as immune system
and gut–brain axis disorders or the digestive tract and allergic diseases. Gut
microbiota plays also an important role in the initiation and progression of in-
fectious diseases (Harris et al., 2017). Microbiota could directly prevent the in-�
vasion of pathogenic microorganism through so called colonization resistance
process that includes competition for adhesion sites and nutrients, antimicro-
bial products and indirectly by immune response stimulation (Kosiewicz et
al., 2011; Louis et al., 2014; Hashemi et al., 2016). Because of its role in human
health, there is an increased interest in gut microbiota modulation by the use
of probiotics (Azad et al, 2018). The term that stands for live microorganism
which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the
host (FAO/WHO, 2002).
and Juge, 2017). The first contact of gut newborn with microbiota occurs al-
ready during pregnancy and is shaped mostly during first years of life (Nuri-
el-Ohayon et al., 2016).
Although the composition of gut microbiota is very dynamic during the
first year of life, the microbial diversity is low. Approximately at the end of the
first year of life, the microbial population stabilizes and reaches a more com-
plex structure and becomes more similar to the adult microbiota by the age of
3 years (Marques et al., 2010; Mueller et al., 2015). Some authors state that the
child’s microbiota still differs in composition and diversity from the adult mi-
crobiota by the age of 5 years (Bertelsen et al., 2016).
The development and composition of gut microbiota is influenced by ma-
ny factors including the mode of delivery (caesarean section or vaginal deliv-
ery), feeding (breastfeeding or milk formula), mother’s health condition, the
use of medications especially antibiotics and environment (Binns and Lee,
2010; Marques et al., 2010). Factors such as caesarean section, feeding with milk
formulations, premature birth and the use of antibiotics are considered to have
an unbeneficial effect on the composition of the gut microbiota (Bertelsen et
al., 2016).
Unsuccessful microbial establishment during early life can lead to health
problems and diseases later in life (Hashemi et al., 2016). Altered composi�-
tion of gut microbiota or dysbiosis refers to imbalance between beneficial and
harmful bacteria (Butel, 2014; Mizock, 2015). Changes in the microbiota are as-�
sociated with the development of many pathological conditions, such as in-
fantile colic, inflammatory bowel syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, asthma,
atopic diseases, celiac disease, diabetes, mood disorders and autism spectrum
disorders (Baldassarre et al., 2018). The state of dysbiosis can significantly af�-
fect also the immune system development and can lead to autoimmune dis-
eases (Vangay et al., 2015). There is a two-way communication path between gut
along with residence microbiota and central nervous system that is now recog-
nised to modulate the intestinal homeostasis and can affect also the well-be-
ing and cognitive abilities of the host (Carabotti et al., 2015). The gut microbi�-
ota can be altered by a number of health conditions, such as immune system
and gut–brain axis disorders or the digestive tract and allergic diseases. Gut
microbiota plays also an important role in the initiation and progression of in-
fectious diseases (Harris et al., 2017). Microbiota could directly prevent the in-�
vasion of pathogenic microorganism through so called colonization resistance
process that includes competition for adhesion sites and nutrients, antimicro-
bial products and indirectly by immune response stimulation (Kosiewicz et
al., 2011; Louis et al., 2014; Hashemi et al., 2016). Because of its role in human
health, there is an increased interest in gut microbiota modulation by the use
of probiotics (Azad et al, 2018). The term that stands for live microorganism
which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the
host (FAO/WHO, 2002).
