A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified universal patterns in early-life gut microbiome development, shedding light on the succession of microbes in infants’ gastrointestinal tracts and their relationship to age. Researchers analyzed over 3,000 stool samples from 1,827 healthy infants across 12 countries, covering diverse socioeconomic and geographical settings, to create a robust model of gut microbiome development.
As reported by news-medical.net, the study highlights the crucial role of gut microbial colonization, which begins at birth and evolves with environmental exposure and dietary changes. Initial microbes digest oligosaccharides from human milk, while the introduction of solid food fosters greater microbial diversity. This progression, consistent across locations, underscores links between gut microbiome maturity and a child’s age.
Using metagenomic data, researchers trained a random forest model to estimate “microbiome age” based on microbial diversity (Shannon index) and species abundances. The model achieved a strong Pearson correlation of 0.8 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.56 months, demonstrating its accuracy. Key microbial species, including Anaerostipes hadrus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, positively correlated with age, while others like Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum showed negative correlations.
Functional analyses also revealed age-linked transitions in microbial genes associated with dietary adaptations. For example, enzymes like malate dehydrogenase increased with age, reflecting evolving dietary needs.
While the study provided a robust benchmark for gut microbiome development, researchers acknowledged the absence of metadata on feeding practices and socioeconomic factors, which could further enhance precision. Nevertheless, the findings establish a reference for evaluating early gut maturation and offer potential applications in assessing developmental health in infants worldwide.