The intestinal tract faces numerous challenges that require several layers of defence. The
tight epithelium forms a physical barrier that is further protected by a mucus layer, which …

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life, but many infants
receive pumped milk, formula, donor human milk, or other nutritional sources during this …

The innate immune system is the oldest protection strategy that is conserved across all
organisms. Although having an unspecific action, it is the first and fastest defense …

Breast milk is an unbeatable food that covers all the nutritional requirements of an infant in
its different stages of growth up to six months after birth. In addition, breastfeeding benefits …

Rapid development of the fetal and neonatal intestine is required to meet the growth
requirements of early life and form a protective barrier against external insults encountered …

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating, multifactorial disease mainly affecting the
intestine of premature infants. Recent discoveries have significantly enhanced our …

Establishment of the gut microbiota during infancy is critical for host health with long-lasting
implications. In this orchestrated process, microbial assembly is influenced by an increasing …

Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a predominant
pathogen of neonatal sepsis, commonly associated with early-onset neonatal sepsis. GBS …

Sepsis is defined as “a life‐threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host
systemic inflammatory and immune response to infection.” At present, sepsis continues to …

The mucosal surfaces of the body are the most vulnerable points for infection because they
are lined by single or multiple layers of very active epithelial cells. The main protector of …