Healthy, diverse infant microbiome may protect against asthma

Healthy, diverse infant microbiome may protect against asthma

Gut Microbes in Infants Linked to Lower Risk of Asthma, Study Finds

Allergies and asthma are common health issues that can greatly impact the quality of life, especially in children. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at Deakin University in Geelong, Australia suggests that babies who have more mature microbes in their gut are less likely to develop allergy-related wheezing and asthma in early childhood.

The study, known as the Barwon Infant Study (BIS), has been ongoing in Australia since 2010. More than 1,000 babies were recruited between 2010 and 2013, and the researchers have been following their growth and development ever since.

The research team analyzed fecal samples collected from the babies at one month, six months, and twelve months to study the bacteria present in their gut. At one- and four-year reviews, parents reported whether their children had developed allergy-related wheezing or asthma during the past year. The team also conducted skin-prick tests to determine if children had allergic reactions to certain foods and airborne substances that can trigger allergies.

The researchers identified and characterized the gut microbiota of 320 randomly selected children using a DNA sequencing technique. They found that infants with more mature gut microbiota at one year old were significantly less likely to have allergy-related wheezing at both one and four years old. The risk of wheezing was halved if the maturity of gut bacteria increased within a certain range. However, no similar association was found under one year of age.

The development of microbiota, communities of bacteria, in the human body occurs during early life and plays a crucial role in processes such as vitamin synthesis and immune system enhancement. The diversity and maturity of microbiota increase as children grow older and are exposed to different environments. Although the exact mechanism by which mature gut microbiota prevent allergy-related diseases is still not fully understood, it is believed that the protective effects arise from the combined actions of different bacterial communities rather than a single mechanism.

The findings of this study, presented at a meeting of the European Respiratory Society in Barcelona, provide valuable insights into the link between gut microbiota and the development of allergies and asthma. The researchers hope that a better understanding of how gut microbiota improve the immune system will lead to the development of new ways to prevent these conditions.

Dr. Yuan Gao, a research fellow at Deakin University, stated, “It might be possible to suggest ways of advancing the maturation of gut microbiota in early life, which would lead to fewer children developing asthma and other allergy-related diseases in the future. With so little known about why babies develop allergies and asthma, more research is needed.”

Researchers have plans to conduct a new clinical trial involving 2,000 children from Australia and New Zealand. The trial aims to investigate whether a mixture of dead bacteria, taken orally, can protect young children from wheezing illnesses or asthma by boosting a healthy immune response to viral infections.

In conclusion, the findings from this study highlight the important role of gut microbiota in preventing allergy-related wheezing and asthma in early childhood. By advancing the maturation of gut microbiota, it may be possible to reduce the risk of these conditions in children. Further research and clinical trials are needed to better understand and harness the potential of gut microbiota in preventing allergies and asthma.