New evidence suggests that the gut microbiome developing in infants during the first days of life may play a key role in protecting against viral infections in early childhood. A study conducted by researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University College London found that the composition of gut bacteria in newborns is associated with the likelihood of developing severe respiratory infections during the first years of life. The findings were published in The Lancet Microbe.
Researchers analyzed stool samples from 1,082 newborns as part of a large-scale UK infant microbiome project. Using genomic sequencing, they studied the bacteria present in the infants’ guts during the first week after birth and then compared this data with medical records documenting hospitalizations up to two years of age.
The study found that some infants’ microbiomes were dominated by Bifidobacterium longum, along with other helpful species such as Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacteroides dorei. Children with this bacterial profile were significantly less likely to be hospitalized due to viral lower respiratory infections in the first two years of life. This combination of bacteria was more commonly observed in infants born via vaginal delivery.
The researchers emphasize that the findings reflect a statistical association, not a proven causal relationship. Not all vaginally delivered infants had this protective microbiome, and the formation of gut flora can be influenced by many factors, including diet, antibiotic use, and the environment.
Nevertheless, the results provide important insights for future medical research. Scientists suggest that in the future it may be possible to develop targeted probiotics or personalized interventions to promote a healthy microbiome in the first weeks of life. Such approaches could potentially reduce the risk of severe infections in early childhood and strengthen the immune system from the very beginning of life.
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