Most infants get these bacteria naturally from the environment. But some babies are given antibiotics that kill these bacteria, and some are not exposed to them for various reasons
These findings indicate that bacteria that live in and on us may have a role in asthma," he said. This seems to happen by 3 months of age in ways that still aren't clear.
For the study, Finlay and colleagues looked for four types of bacteria in stool samples of 319 infants at 3 months of age. The bacteria are called FLVR
The researchers found that 22 children with low levels of these bacteria at age 3 months also had low levels at age 1 year.
These 22 children are at the highest risk of developing asthma, and eight have been diagnosed with the respiratory disease so far.
In the first 100 days of life, gut makeup influences the immune response that causes or protects kids from asthma
Testing for these bacteria in infants might help identify children who have a high risk of developing asthma, Turvey said. "These children could be followed and treated more quickly if they end up with asthma
Whether giving kids probiotics -- good bacteria -- might reduce asthma risk isn't known, the researchers said. Turvey said the probiotics available in over-the-counter forms do not include the four bacteria identified in this study.