Prof. Yvan Vandenplas from University Hospital Brussels emphasises the critical role of early gut microbiota balance in children’s growth, immune function, and disease prevention, highlighting dietary strategies to optimise microbial health from infancy.
Prof. Yvan Vandenplas, a paediatric gastroenterology and nutrition specialist at University Hospital Brussels, said children’s healthy growth depends in part on maintaining a balanced gut microbiota, the community of bacteria that lives in the digestive tract. Speaking at a media discussion in Jakarta on Thursday, he said the early years of life are a critical period for shaping that microbial ecosystem and that diet plays a central role in supporting it.
Vandenplas said prebiotics are particularly important because they act as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut. He noted that these compounds are found in fibre-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans and certain root crops, and added that some fortified growing-up milks are also designed with prebiotic blends to help support microbial balance. He also pointed to biotics more broadly, including probiotics and synbiotics, as tools that may help support children’s digestive health.
The importance of the gut microbiome extends beyond digestion. Research reviewed by medical sources such as the National Institutes of Health has linked early microbiome development with immune function, brain development and lung health, while also warning that dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, may be associated with conditions including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. That broader evidence base supports the idea that gut health can influence several systems at once, not just the stomach and intestines.
The issue may be especially relevant for children born by caesarean section, who can develop a different gut bacterial profile from those delivered vaginally. According to Vandenplas, that difference can raise the risk of dysbiosis and may affect immunity, digestion and susceptibility to inflammatory illness. He said the goal should be to support a stable microbial environment from an early age to help reduce the likelihood of future health problems.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
