Archives des Early Life & Infants

Scientists uncover common patterns in infant gut microbiome development on four continents

23 Jul 2025

by Mónica Quinzo

The gut microbiome’s early development is essential for infant health, but does it follow the same path worldwide? A new study reveals that despite geographical and cultural differences, infants undergo similar microbial changes in their intestines. Understanding the universal patterns of early gut microbiome succession offers a promising avenue for improving infant health worldwide.

Fathers also contribute to the baby’s microbiota

21 Aug 2024

by Cristina Sáez

The microbial colonization of a baby's gut is primarily influenced by the mother's vaginal microbiota during birth and by breast milk. Two new studies have found for the first time that fathers also contribute to the establishment of the baby's microbiota, which could have health implications.

What lies beneath a dirty diaper? (Spoiler: thousands of unknown allied viruses!)

15 Nov 2023

by Cristina Sáez

An international team of scientists has studied diaper samples of nearly 650 healthy 1-year-old babies for 5 years and has discovered 10,000 species of viruses, most of them unknown until now. Far from causing children to be sick, those viruses are thought to be true allies, playing an important role in protecting us from chronic diseases.

Early exposure to air pollution linked to negative changes in infant gut microbiota

25 Oct 2022

by Cristina Sáez

Inhaling air pollutants during the first 6 months of life could affect a baby’s intestinal bacteria, causing changes in its composition associated with a higher risk of developing allergies, obesity and diabetes, and even influence brain development, concludes a new study.

What is bifidobacteria’s role in establishing a healthy infant gut microbiome and immune system?

20 Jun 2022

by Andreu Prados

The role of the infant gut microbiome in immunological development is largely mediated by bifidobacteria. This article updates what factors affect bifidobacteria colonization in the gut and why bifidobacteria are relevant for infants, and reveals the groups of infants that will benefit from supplementation with bifidobacterial.

Does gut microbiome development end by age 3?

29 Sep 2021

by Andreu Prados

Although it was previously thought that the infant gut microbiota would attain an adult-like structure by the age of 3, recent studies have suggested that the gut community of microorganisms continues to evolve in both pre-adolescents and 20-year-olds.

Gut microbiota disturbance following antibiotic use at an early age is associated with behavioral disorders in infants

3 Mar 2021

by Manon Oliero

While there is a lack of studies aiming to understand how the gut microbiota evolves during infancy to cause neuronal disorders, Amy Loughman’s recently published an article considering this subject.

Can the “baby blues” affect a newborn’s gut microbiota?

23 Jan 2020

by Cristina Sáez

Maternal psychological distress after birth can affect a child’s gut microbiota development and thus, their overall health, according to a recent study.

The Biotics Family in Early Life – Nutritional components for infant health

16 Oct 2019

by Megan Mouw

The new book The Biotics Family in Early Life discusses how the use of dietary “biotics” can help improve infant health outcomes and reduce the risk of disease in later life.

Breast milk and maternal gut microbiota affect antibiotic resistant bacteria in the infant gut

4 Sep 2019

by Cristina Sáez

A new study, published in Nature Communications, determines that the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in babies may come from their mothers, not only through childbirth but also through breastfeeding.