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Create a free account or log inIt is established that the 1000 first days of life are an important window for later health. The establishment of the gut microbiota is included in this time window: its formation starts during the birthing process when the neonate is suddenly immersed in a varied bacterial environment. This initial microbiota constitutes a dynamic and delicate ecosystem that gradually shapes itself and shifts toward an adult-like configuration around 2-3 years.
Various perinatal determinants, such as cesarean section delivery, type of feeding, gestational age, environment, and antibiotic treatments may affect the pattern of bacterial colonization and result in an imbalance in the composition and function of microbiota. This phenomenon is called dysbiosis.
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but their overuse or misuse is one of the main causes of dysbiosis. Antibiotic exposure during the first years of life, is associated with increased risk of short-term consequences, such as diarrhea. It is also associated with risk of diseases which may appear later in life, including obesity, types 1 and 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, allergies, and asthma. That is why it is important to protect infant and child’s microbiota. Prescribing some specific strains probiotics is a way to protect microbiota like Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745. Indeed, this yeast probiotic can play a key role in protecting and restoring infant or child’s microbiota when is prescribed with antibiotic treatment.