This review suggests that maternal and child may shape the early-life in ways linked to poorer neurodevelopment.
Evidence
A systematic review of 11 studies, mostly cohorts, synthesized evidence on nutrition insecurity, maternal or infant microbiota, and early cognitive, motor, and temperament outcomes.
Caveat
Because the evidence is a small, mostly observational study set, the review cannot establish causal pathways between nutrition insecurity, microbiome changes, and neurodevelopment.
Simplified
Emerging research suggests influences composition, which in turn affects through the gut-brain axis. This systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence on these relationships. A comprehensive search of the scientific literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies investigating the links between nutrition insecurity in mothers and children, microbiome, and early neurodevelopment were included. Data on maternal characteristics, microbiota composition, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and nutritional status were extracted from eligible studies. The review included 11 studies, primarily cohort studies, conducted in various countries. According to the study findings, gut maternal and infant microbiota composition in early life appear to be closely connected to early neurodevelopment both in terms of cognitive/motor skills and temperament. Nutrition insecurity has a significant influence in shaping these outcomes as it can alter microbiota balance and contribute to gut dysbiosis and delayed neurodevelopmental milestones. Breastfeeding emerges as a crucial factor in modulating the infant microbiome and supporting neurodevelopment. Also, other factors such as pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and environment seem to influence offspring gut colonization and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This systematic review highlights the intricate interplay between maternal and child nutrition insecurity, microbiota, and early neurodevelopment. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions addressing maternal and child nutrition to mitigate the adverse effects of nutrition insecurity and support optimal early-life neurodevelopment. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore the causal pathways and to develop nutrition-based strategies to prioritize microbiome health in vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Key numbers
9 of 11
Cohort Studies Included
Cohort studies comprised the majority of the included research.
10 of 11
Studies Reporting on Infant Neurodevelopment
Most studies investigated infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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