BACKGROUND Despite intense interest in the relationship between gut microbiota and brain development, longitudinal data from human studies are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the composition of gut microbiota during infancy and subsequent behavioural outcomes. METHODS A subcohort of 201 children with behavioural outcome measures was identified within a longitudinal, Australian birth-cohort study. The faecal microbiota were analysed at 1, 6, and 12 months of age. Behavioural outcomes were measured at 2 years of age. FINDINGS In an unselected birth cohort, we found a clear association between decreased normalised abundance of Prevotella in faecal samples collected at 12 months of age and increased behavioural problems at 2 years, in particular Internalizing Problem scores. This association appeared independent of multiple potentially confounding variables, including maternal mental health. Recent exposure to antibiotics was the best predictor of decreased Prevotella. INTERPRETATION Our findings demonstrate a strong association between the composition of the gut microbiota in infancy and subsequent behavioural outcomes; and support the importance of responsible use of antibiotics during early life. FUNDING This study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (1082307, 1147980, 1129813), The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Perpetual Trustees, and The Shepherd Foundation. The funders had no involvement in the data collection, analysis or interpretation, trial design, recruitment or any other aspect pertinent to the study.

中文翻译：

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在婴儿期及随后的行为结局中肠道菌群组成。

背景技术尽管人们对肠道菌群与大脑发育之间的关系非常感兴趣，但缺乏来自人体研究的纵向数据。这项研究旨在调查婴儿期肠道菌群组成与随后的行为结果之间的关系。方法在一项纵向的澳大利亚出生队列研究中，确定了201名采用行为结果测量的儿童亚队列。在1、6和12个月大时分析了粪便微生物群。在2岁时测量行为结局。结果在未选择的出生队列中，我们发现在12个月大时收集的粪便样本中普雷沃氏菌的正常化含量降低与2岁时行为问题的增加（尤其是内部化问题评分）之间存在明显的关联。这种关联似乎独立于多个潜在混淆的变量，包括孕产妇的心理健康。最近接触抗生素是减少普氏杆菌的最好预测。解释我们的研究结果表明婴儿期肠道菌群的组成与随后的行为结果之间有很强的联系。支持早期生活中负责任使用抗生素的重要性。资金支持本研究由澳大利亚国家卫生与医学研究委员会（1082307、1147980、1129813），默多克儿童研究所，Barwon Health，迪肯大学，永久受托人和牧羊人基金会资助。资助者不参与数据收集，分析或解释，试验设计，招募或与研究有关的任何其他方面。