Babies first 1000 days and the Microbiome.

Scientific evidence confirms that the early period of human life that begins at conception and continue until 24 months of life (also called the first 1000 days of life ) plays a vital role for promoting the development of chronic diseases throughout the entire life span, indicating the important impact of maternal health status on the health of future child.

The microbiome is one of the key elements that play a pivotal role during the first 1000 days of life.

The emerging evidence suggests that microbial colonization starts prior to birth and is shaped by the maternal microbiota. Therefore, it is likely that the colonization process is initiated in utero.

Subsequent to birth, this complex colonization process is then further influenced by host genetics as well as internal factors such as gestational age and external factors such as type of feeding (breast milk versus formula), mode of delivery (caesarean versus vaginal) and antibiotic exposure. 

The A.MA.MI project investigated the possible correlation between several factors, from conception to the first year of life, and infant gut microbiome composition. 

• Result from this observational study found that mode of delivery is one of the most important determinants of early gut microbiota colonization.
• Babies born by Cesarean Section (CS) developed microbiota that have higher capacity to harvest food energy, consequently making them at increased risk to develop childhood obesity.
• Results also showed a substantial difference in gut microbiota colonization between breast fed and formula fed infants.
• Breast fed babies were colonized with bacterial species involved in human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) metabolism in breastfed infants. These HOM were found to strengthen the immune system and an protect against allergic diseases and may also offer protection from chronic disease.

Written by  
Dr Fathalla Ali, PHD Paediatrics 
https://www.mothersbabies.org/the-importance-of-the-first-1000-days-of-life-on-microbiota-development/