Figure 1.

Development of the gut microbiome and influencing factors that lead to homeostasis or dysbiosis. Starting from gestation, maternal microbiota influence the developing fetus’s future microbiome. Passage through the vaginal canal confers exposure to mucosal IgA, inoculating the newborns microbiome. At 6 months, the microbiome starts to transition towards adult-like microbiome with the consumption of solid foods. There are many factors present early in life that can tip the scale towards homeostasis vs. dysbiosis.