Abstract

Although development of microbiota in childhood has been linked to chronic immune-related conditions, early childhood determinants of microbiota development have not been fully elucidated. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to analyse faecal and saliva samples from 83 children at four time-points during their first 2 years of life and from their mothers. Our findings confirm that gut microbiota in infants have low diversity and highlight that some properties are shared with the oral microbiota, although inter-individual differences are present. A considerable convergence in gut microbiota composition was noted across the first 2 years of life, towards a more diverse adult-like microbiota. Mode of delivery accounted for some of the inter-individual variation in early childhood, but with a pronounced attenuation over time. Our study extends previous research with further characterization of the major shift in gut microbiota composition during the first 2 years of life.

Published in

Scientific Reports
2022, Volume: 12, number: 1, article number: 9080
Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO

SLU Authors

• Peura, Sari

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB)
  • Uppsala University

• Bertilsson, Stefan

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Dicksved, Johan

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Pediatrics


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13009-3

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/117569