Breastfeeding's Role in Shaping Infant Gut Microbiota for Long-Term Health

The human gut is colonized by billions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, collectively referred to as the gut microbiome or microbiota. The process of gut colonization begins perinatally and evolves to its complex adult state over the next 2-3 years. Accumulating evidence shows that the microbiome plays a crucial role in the long-term health of individuals. The establishment of microbiota in early life is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, with neonatal and infant nutrition being among the most significant. Notably, significant differences in gut microbiota have been observed between breastfed and formula-fed infants. Breastfeeding shapes the microbiome's composition, diversity, and metabolism, as human milk contains rich microbiota, prebiotics, immunological, and other compounds that affect microbiome patterns. Maternal microorganisms and bioactive molecules transferred through breastmilk modify the infant gut microbiota, with both short-term and long-term health consequences. An imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial microbes may lead to inflammation, altered immunologic responses, intolerance, and immune-related chronic diseases. Establishing a "healthy" microbiota emerges as a promising tool in decreasing disease burden. Ongoing research focuses on determining the optimal microbiota composition and function, possible interventions for shaping a "healthy" microbiota, the role of breastfeeding, the potential for modifying breastmilk bioactive components, and the specifics of microbiota impact on disease prevalence.

This research topic aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between infant gut microbiota and breastfeeding, with a focus on early intervention and modification to achieve long-term health benefits. The main objectives include understanding the components of breastfeeding that influence infant microbiota, exploring ways to modify breastmilk factors to shape a healthier microbiota, and examining the health consequences of these modifications. Specific questions to be addressed include: What are the key components in breastmilk that affect microbiota composition? How can maternal or early environmental factors be modified to promote a healthy microbiota? What are the long-term health outcomes of microbiota modifications through breastfeeding?

To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Breastfeeding components and related changes in infant microbiota
- Modification of breastmilk factors involved in shaping infant microbiota
- Modification of maternal or early environmental factors involved in shaping infant microbiota
- Health consequences of infant microbiota modification through breastfeeding