CONCLUSIONS
BPD continues to be a challenge for preterm infants worldwide. Today,
BPD has an increasing incidence rate, and whilst there are no definitive
treatment options, several intricate mechanisms have been identified and
associated with the condition. The gut microbiota, as an
“invisible organ ” of the host, has been shown to play critical
roles in many diseases throughout all of the body systems. A growing
number of studies have shown an intrinsic association between gut
microbiota and BPD. Although the causal relationship between the two
remains to be determined, gut microbial dysbiosis may affect BPD in a
number of ways, including altering the gut-lung axis, promoting
inflammation, and affecting growth. Therefore, fecal microbiota
transplantation or probiotics potentially represent therapeutic options
for the treatment or prevention of BPD. Despite these advances,
investigations into the associations between gut microbiota and BPD
currently remain in the preliminary exploratory stages, and substantial
questions need to be addressed urgently. Therefore, further experiments
are required to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of this
therapeutic modality before identifying gut microbiota as a therapeutic
target for BPD. Future directions also need to focus on refining the
knowledge related to the specific mechanisms by which the gut microbiota
affects BPD.
In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between
the gut microbiota and BPD is necessary and urgent. Comprehending the
relationships may add new dimensions to the pathogenesis of BPD and be
used as targets for more promising therapeutic approaches.