Znaczenie ekosystemu mikrobiontów przewodu pokarmowego u dzieci - wybrane zagadnienia

The intestine of newborns is sterile. Colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract of newborns starts immediately after birth and depends on many conditions for example on the type of feeding. In breastfed newborns and infants there are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium, in formula fed infants there are anaerobes like Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Clostridia. Bifidobacteria are subdominant genera. Especially Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium interact beneficially to intestinal mucosa and the immune system. Micro flora of a gut has trophic, metabolic and protective functions. A major metabolic function is fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids that are a major source of energy for colonocytes. Micro flora plays important role in the production of vitamins (especially vitamin K and B) and improves absorption of calcium and magnesium. We can modify micro flora by giving probiotics. It can affect favorable occurrence of some symptoms and diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis, infantile colica, acute diarrhea, atopic dermatitis.