Chapter 9 Importance of the Microbiota in Early Life and Influence on Future Health

The infant gut microbiome is dynamic with radical shifts in its composition occurring during early life. Many factors are capable of influencing this colonization. Disruption of the developmental patterns prior to the attainment of a more stable adult-like gastrointestinal microbiota is increasingly being linked to adverse health outcomes. The impact of the microbial composition of our gastrointestinal tract on systems outside the gut is also becoming apparent and has attracted much recent attention. Many disease states are now associated with a dysbiosis of the gut bacteria with the origin of such being related to early life colonization patterns. Here we highlight the factors that are influenced by microbiota colonization in early life and the potential outcomes with regard to future health.