刍议小儿肠道菌群的“纯阳”之性

Discussion on the pure yang characteristics of intestinal microflora in infants

肠道菌群是存在于肠道内多种细菌的总称,在机体生长发育过程中发挥着重要作用。肠道菌群定植起于胎儿时期,在3岁左右逐渐接近于成人水平,这一阶段是肠道菌群与宿主之间建立相互作用稳态的关键时期,与成人相比更易受到外界因素干扰而诱发多种疾病,同时亦成为治疗的重要干预节点。纯阳学说是传统中医对小儿体质特点的概括,包括了“生机蓬勃,发育迅速;脏腑娇嫩,形气未充;发病容易,传变迅速;脏气清灵,易趋康复”的特点,这一理论与小儿肠道菌群的生理、病理特点高度契合。文章以此为切入点,论述小儿肠道菌群的“纯阳”之性,为小儿“纯阳”理论注入丰富内涵,并指导儿科临床诊疗。

Intestinal microflora, a group of bacteria that exist in the gut, plays an important role in the development of human life. The colonization of intestinal microflora started in the fetal period, and gradually approached the adult level at about 3 years old. This stage is the key period for the establishment of stable interaction between intestinal flora and host.Compared with adults, intestinal microflora in infants is more vulnerable to external factors to induce diseases, which also brings about an important intervention target of treatment. The pure yang theory is a summary of the physical characteristics of infants by traditional Chinese medicine theory, including the description of ‘vigorous vitality and rapid growth;delicate viscera and imperfect structure/function;get sick easily and aggravated rapidly;but also sensitive to treatments and easy to recover’, which is similar to the characteristics of intestinal microflora in infants. Therefore, this paper discusses the pure yang properties of intestinal microflora in infants in physiology, pathology and treatment, which enriches the connotation of the pure yang theory in microbiology and guides the pediatric clinic.