INTRODUCTION
In recent decades, the survivorship of preterm infants has increased
significantly thanks to the improved life-saving techniques and precise
application of medication, but the concomitant challenge is that the
incidence of bronchopulmonary
dysplasia (BPD) is gradually rising1. BPD is a severe
medical challenge and a tremendous trial for frail preterm infants, in
part because the short- and long-term respiratory and neurological
complications associated with BPD severely affect the quality of life of
preterm infants2. Furthermore, no unified consensus
has so far been reached regarding the definition, pathology,
pathogenesis and treatment options of BPD. Therefore, it has become
imperative to understand this condition and dissect BPD from different
angles. Recent evidence has demonstrated the critical contribution of
the gut microbiota, as the most prominent component of the
micro-ecological environment, in several respiratory
diseases3. Notably, a growing body of research has
examined BPD and gut microbiota dysbiosis associations. Despite this,
few comprehensive reports have been published in this area. As such,
this review’s significance is to highlight the bidirectional impact of
gut microbiota dysbiosis and BPD and establish the possible mechanisms
by which gut microbiota dysbiosis affects BPD.