Microbiome establishment and maturation: early life environmental factors

Abstract The acquisition of microbial communities during early life is closely intertwined with children’s immune and metabolic development. Environmental influences during this critical early window have been shown to affect microbial colonization. In this chapter, we will review the effects of prenatal maternal factors, delivery mode, peripartum antibiotic administration, nutrition, and the indoor microbiome in the hospital and home. We will discuss the current understanding of how microbial exposures shape lifelong health.