Relationship between Gut Microbiota and Allergies in Children: A Literature Review

Nutrients. 2023 May 29;15(11):2529. doi: 10.3390/nu15112529.

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota is a diverse and complex microecosystem that lives and thrives within the human body. The microbiota stabilizes by the age of three. This microecosystem plays a crucial role in human health, particularly in the early years of life. Dysbiosis has been linked to the development of various allergic diseases with potential long-term implications. Next-generation sequencing methods have established that allergic diseases are associated with dysbiosis. These methods can help to improve the knowledge of the relationship between dysbiosis and allergic diseases. The aim of this review paper is to synthesize the current understanding on the development of the intestinal microbiota in children, the long-term impact on health, and the relationship between dysbiosis and allergic diseases. Furthermore, we examine the connection between the microbiome and specific allergies such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and food allergies, and which mechanisms could determine the induction of these diseases. Furthermore, we will review how factors such as mode of delivery, antibiotic use, breastfeeding, and the environment influence the development of the intestinal flora, as well as review various interventions for the prevention and treatment of gut microbiota-related allergies.

Keywords: allergy; asthma; atopic dermatitis; children; food allergy; microbiota.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma*
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Atopic* / etiology
  • Dysbiosis
  • Food Hypersensitivity*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.