The Gut-Liver Axis in Pediatric Liver Health and Disease

There has been growing interest in the complex host-microbe interactions within the human gut and the role these interactions play in systemic health and disease. As an essential metabolic organ, the liver is intimately coupled to the intestinal microbial environment via the portal venous system. Our understanding of the gut-liver axis comes almost exclusively from studies of adults; the gut-liver axis in children, who have unique physiology and differing gut microbial communities, remains poorly understood. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of common pediatric hepatobiliary conditions and recent studies exploring the contributions of the gut microbiota to these conditions or changes of the gut microbiota due to these conditions. We examine the current literature regarding the microbial alterations that take place in biliary atresia, pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson's disease, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and viral hepatitis. Finally, we propose potential therapeutic approaches involving modulation of the gut microbiota and the gut-liver axis to mitigate the progression of pediatric liver disease.

Automated summary

There is increasing interest in understanding the interactions between the human gut and microorganisms, and how these interactions affect overall health and disease. The liver, as a vital organ for metabolism, is closely connected to the gut microbial environment through the portal venous system. Although there is extensive research on the gut-liver axis in adults, our understanding of this axis in children, who have unique physiology and gut microbiota, remains limited. This study provides a comprehensive overview of common pediatric hepatobiliary conditions and recent research on the role of gut microbiota in these conditions, as well as the changes in gut microbiota caused by these conditions. The study also explores potential therapeutic approaches that involve modulating the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis to prevent the progression of pediatric liver disease.