Long description

A schematic illustration depicts microbiota development in early life. The window of opportunity for microbiota modulation either during pregnancy, delivery, or during infancy or toddler is outlined as follows. During pregnancy, maternal microbiota (inset image: a fetus in the mother’s womb) is affected by factors such as diet, antibiotics, host genetics, infection, and maternal stress. During delivery, microbiota (inset image: a mother breastfeeding her infant) is affected by factors such as mode of delivery and gestational age at birth. During infancy or toddler stages, child microbiota (inset image: a toddler) is affected by factors such as feeding mode, maternal diet, host genetics, family lifestyle, and geographical location.