Birth and household exposures are associated with changes to skin bacterial communities during infancy.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Microbial exposures during infancy shape the development of the microbiome, the collection of microbes living in and on the body, which in turn directs immune system training. Newborns acquire a substantial quantity of microbes during birth and throughout infancy via exposure to microbes in the physical and social environment. Alterations to early life microbial environments may give rise to mismatches, where environmental, cultural and behavioral changes that outpace the body's adaptive responses can lead to adverse health outcomes, particularly those related to microbiome development and immune system regulation.

Methods

This study explored the development of the skin microbiome among infants born in Chicago, USA. We collected skin swab microbiome

SUBMITTER: Manus MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11966193 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature