Methodological challenges in neonatal microbiome research

Following microbial colonization at birth, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in the healthy development of human neonates and impacts both health and disease in later life. Understanding the development of the neonatal gut microbiome and how it interacts with the neonatal host are therefore important areas of study. However, research within this field must address a range of specific challenges that impact the design and implementation of research methods. If not considered ahead of time, these challenges have the potential to introduce biases into studies, negatively affecting the relevance, reproducibility, and impact of any findings. This review outlines the nature of these challenges and points to current and future solutions, as outlined in the literature, to assist researchers in the early stages of study design.

Automated summary

The gut microbiome in neonates has a significant impact on their healthy development and future health. Studying the development of the neonatal gut microbiome and its interaction with the host is crucial, but researchers face specific challenges that may introduce biases and affect the relevance and reproducibility of findings. This review identifies these challenges and provides current and future solutions to assist researchers in study design.