Development of intestinal microorganisms and molecular ecological methods for analysis of intestinal ecosystem in the neonate

Up to date, a number of review papers were reported on intestinal microorganisms that influence the health and disease of human being and diet that directly influence the establishment of intestinal microbial populations. Importance of studying intestinal microorganisms in the neonate arises from the easy approach to studying initial acquisition and settlement of intestinal microorganisms. Despite of the importance, few studies of neonatal intestinal microorganisms have been carried out and there is no paper focusing the factors to influence the development of intestinal microorganisms and molecular ecological methods for the analysis of intestinal ecosystem in the neonate. In this review, we summarized the status of our current knowledge of basic initial acquisition and settlement of intestinal microorganisms. And recent development of molecular ecological methods in studying the intestinal microbiology was also discussed.