Development of the Human Infant Intestinal Microbiota
2007
How Microbes Colonize a Baby's Gut
Sample size: 14
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Chana Palmer, Patrick Brown
Hypothesis
What affects how the microbial colony in a newborn's gut changes over time?
Conclusion
Healthy babies have remarkably different microbial communities in their guts during their first months of life.
Supporting Evidence
- Healthy babies have different microbial communities in their guts during their first months of life.
- The study found that the microbial profiles of babies showed a surprising degree of continuity over time.
- Fraternal twins had more similar microbial flora to each other than to other babies.
Takeaway
Babies are born without gut bacteria, but they quickly get different types of microbes from their environment, and these can change a lot in the first year.
Methodology
The researchers collected stool samples from 14 healthy babies and their families, using DNA microarrays and gene sequencing to analyze microbial communities.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on healthy babies, which may not represent all infants.
Participant Demographics
14 healthy babies and their mothers.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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