The early gut microbiome and the risk of chronic disease

The early gastrointestinal microbiome plays a critical role in the future health status of infants and young children, and early dysbiosis has been associated with the development of several chronic diseases. First, we discuss the potential link between the gut microbiome and the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease (CeD), as representative autoimmune disorders. Data is presented showing several factors contributing to disruption of the intestinal homeostasis, including delivery mode, infant feeding modality, antibiotic use, geography and hygiene, and their role in the development of T1D, followed by a discussion of factors that have been shown to contribute to the development of CeD, such as early gut colonization, antibiotic use, and early feeding patterns. In the second part, we review factors that have been associated with alterations in the gut microbiome and consequently the aberrant immune responses of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, including maternal exposures, antibiotics, feeding patterns, and other environmental exposures.