The period immediately after birth is critical for the successful establishment of a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for developing a strong immune system, protecting from infection and disease, and for establishing proper gut and central nervous system functioning. An unhealthy gut microbiome may play a direct causal role in disease risk and/or may make an individual more susceptible to the many stressors that cause disease. Authors in this study, using a longitudinal study design, report that maternal psychosocial stress is associated with decreased abundance of health-promoting bacteria L. gasseri and B. pseudocatenulatum that help reduce inflammation, stress, and improve mental state, and is important in modulating the gut–brain axis in early development and in preventing mood disorders. Hence, the infant gut microbiome may help mediate the effect of maternal stress on infant health and development. Thus, the effect of maternal stress on the next generation through the infant gut microbiome may increase the infants’ susceptibility to disease.
Link to the article : bit.ly/444juc7
Published On: /04/2023
