Maternal and infant factors that shape neonatal gut colonization by bacteria.

Recent developments in understanding what shapes our microbiota indicates that the greatest impact on infant gut microbiota composition during the first year of life is seen with the mode of delivery, infant diet, and infant antibiotic usage. Current data is insufficient to fully establish the role of apparently less important factors such as maternal health on microbiota development although their impact is likely smaller. Technological advances will allow for improved understanding of underlying mechanisms by which specific microbes impact on infant health, which in time will enable full appreciation of the role of the gut microbiota in early life development.