Lead author Benjamin Ross PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine explains that in healthy infants the intestinal microbiome is highly dynamic evolving based on factors such as birth delivery method breastfeeding and the introduction of solid foods. By ages three to five these changes stabilize into an adult-like microbiome a crucial process for healthy development.

The researchers compared the bacterial composition of microbiomes in a local cohort of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) to those of healthy infants using large public datasets from the U.S. and Northern Europe.

Our key finding was that the microbiome in CF infants shows minimal change over time indicating delayed or stunted maturation compared to healthy children which may contribute to poor health says Ross. For instance we observed a depletion of beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii which plays a crucial role in digesting dietary fiber and promoting anti-inflammatory responses.

Ross and his colleagues are planning follow-up studies using mouse models to gain deeper insights into why gut microbiome alterations occur in cystic fibrosis (CF) and how they impact overall health. By understanding these mechanisms they hope to identify potential therapeutic strategies.

We aim to explore interventions such as probiotics or dietary modifications that could help counteract the disease’s effects on the microbiome says Ross. By supplementing missing bacterial components we may be able to support healthier gut development and mitigate some of the negative health outcomes associated with CF.

Founded in 1797, Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine is committed to improving lives through excellence in education research and clinical care. The institution is renowned for its leadership in medical education healthcare policy biomedical research and global health. With a strong focus on innovation the Geisel School of Medicine continues to train diverse generations of medical professionals dedicated to solving the most pressing challenges in healthcare and improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Source: https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/stalled-microbiomes-dartmouth-led-study-reveals-that-cystic-fibrosis-disrupts-early-gut-development-in-infants/