Human Microbiome in Children, at the Crossroad of Social Determinants of Health and Personalized Medicine

Talía Sainz,Donato Bonifazi,Adriana Ceci,Simona Ravera,María José Mellado,Antonio Pérez-Martínez,Cristina Calvo,Valeria Pignataro,Adela Escudero

doi:10.3390/children8121191

Abstract

The evolving field of microbiome research offers an excellent opportunity for biomarker identification, understanding drug metabolization disparities, and improving personalized medicine. However, the complexities of host–microbe ecological interactions hinder clinical transferability. Among other factors, the microbiome is deeply influenced by age and social determinants of health, including environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle conditions. In this article, the bidirectionality of social and host–microorganism interactions in health will be discussed. While the field of microbiome-related personalized medicine evolves, it is clear that social determinants of health should be mitigated. Furthermore, microbiome research exemplifies the need for specific pediatric investigation plans to improve children’s health.

Highlights

The evolving field of the microbiome has revolutionized biomedical research in recent years, where it has emerged as an independent research specialty
Defined by the World Health Organization as the “conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age and the wide set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life” [10], the so-called social determinants of health (SDOH) are known to have a powerful effect on health outcome [11,12,13]
Microbiome composition is deeply influenced by socio-economic factors, especially during childhood

Summary

Introduction

The evolving field of the microbiome has revolutionized biomedical research in recent years, where it has emerged as an independent research specialty. As not all patients respond in the same way to a given therapy, PM has the potential to make medical practice more efficient based on genetic, biological, or psychosocial characteristics [4,5,6]. All these factors are to be taken into account for medical management, together with patient preferences. Social determinants of health have a direct impact on undoubtfully critical factors for health, such as malnutrition, access to treated water, or health care In comparison, their effect on microbiota composition and how much these changes may contribute to health and disease may seem trivial and has not been well established

Social Determinants of Health and the Microbiome in Children

Conclusions