Advances in metagenomics have allowed a detailed study of the gut microbiome, and its role in human health and disease. Infants born prematurely possess a fragile gut microbial ecosystem that is vulnerable to perturbation. Alterations in the developing gut microbiome in preterm infants are linked to life-threatening diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late onset sepsis; and may impact future risk of asthma, atopy, obesity, and psychosocial disease. In this mini review, we summarize recent literature on the origins and patterns of development of the preterm gut microbiome in the perinatal period. The host-microbiome-environmental factors that portend development of dysbiotic intestinal microbial patterns associated with NEC and sepsis are reviewed. Strategies to manipulate the microbiome and mitigate dysbiosis, including the use of probiotics and prebiotics will also be discussed. Finally, we explore the challenges and future directions of gut microbiome research in preterm infants.

中文翻译：

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早产肠道微生物组在健康和疾病中的动态

宏基因组学的进步已经允许对肠道微生物组及其在人类健康和疾病中的作用进行详细研究。过早出生的婴儿拥有脆弱的肠道微生物生态系统，容易受到干扰。早产儿肠道微生物群的变化与坏死性小肠结肠炎 (NEC) 和迟发性败血症等危及生命的疾病有关；并可能影响未来患哮喘、特应性、肥胖和心理社会疾病的风险。在这篇小型综述中，我们总结了最近关于围产期早产肠道微生物组的起源和发展模式的文献。综述了预示与 NEC 和败血症相关的肠道菌群失调模式发展的宿主-微生物组-环境因素。操纵微生物组和减轻生态失调的策略，包括益生菌和益生元的使用也将被讨论。最后，我们探讨了早产儿肠道微生物组研究的挑战和未来方向。