The role of maternal diet on offspring gut microbiota development: A review

Abstract

In offspring, an adequate maternal diet is important for neurodevelopment. One mechanism by which maternal diet impacts neurodevelopment is through its dynamic role in the development of the gut microbiota. Communication between the gut, and its associated microbiota, and the brain is facilitated by the vagus nerve, in addition to other routes. Currently, the mechanisms through which maternal diet impacts offspring microbiota development are not well‐defined. Therefore, this review aims to investigate the relationship between maternal diet during pregnancy and offspring microbiota development and its impact on neurodevelopment. Both human and animal model studies were reviewed to understand the impact of maternal diet on offspring microbiota development and potential consequences on neurodevelopment. In the period after birth, as reported in both human and model system studies, maternal diet impacts offspring bacterial colonization (e.g., decreased presence of Lactobacillus reuteri as a result of a high‐fat maternal diet). It remains unknown whether these changes persist into adulthood and whether they impact vulnerability to disease. Therefore, further long‐term studies are required in both human and model systems to study these changes. Our survey of the literature indicates that maternal diet influences early postnatal microbiota development, which in turn, may serve as a mechanism through which maternal diet impacts neurodevelopment.

Simple Energy Balance or Microbiome for Childhood Obesity Prevention?

“…The microbiome consists of 10 to 100 trillion microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, protozoa, and eukaryotes) that live mostly in each person’s gastrointestinal tract [ 66 ]. The microbiome is important because it protects the host against pathogens, metabolizes dietary nutrients and drugs [ 67 , 68 ], induces the absorption and distribution of dietary components [ 69 ], and bi-directionally communicates between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system (called the gut–brain axis) [ 70 ], which may contribute to depression and anxiety [ 71 ]. Several mechanisms have been proposed for how the microbiome might predispose to obesity (mostly from animal research), including: developmental programming [ 42 ], relative presence of polysaccharide metabolizing bacterial taxa [ 72 ], reciprocal relationship with bile acids [ 73 ], diet [ 74 ], the gut–brain axis [ 75 ], host gene expression [ 40 , 76 ], host inflammation and thermogenesis [ 77 ], and circadian rhythms [ 78 ].…”

“…Conversely, a postpartum maternal diet low in fat influenced offspring bacterial colonization (e.g., lower Bacteriodes ) [ 116 ]. Children of obese mothers had different distributions of microbiota compared with those of lean mothers, which may vary by socioeconomic status and a high fat diet (lower Bacteroides ) [ 70 ]. The maternal microbiome influenced the neonate’s microbiome differently between vaginal and cesarean births, indicating that the method of delivery influences the neonate’s microbiome due the presence or absence of exposure to vaginal microbes.…”

“…The maternal microbiome influenced the neonate’s microbiome differently between vaginal and cesarean births, indicating that the method of delivery influences the neonate’s microbiome due the presence or absence of exposure to vaginal microbes. While breastfeeding directly reduces the risk of childhood obesity [ 121 ], this is likely mediated by breastfeeding’s impact on the child’s microbiome [ 70 ]. Similarly, the timing of formula and complementary feeding influences the microbiome and obesity [ 122 , 123 ].…”

Impact of Early Life Nutrition on Children’s Immune System and Noncommunicable Diseases Through Its Effects on the Bacterial Microbiome, Virome and Mycobiome

“…Nutrition, vitamins and micronutrients supplementation during pregnancy Maternal high fat diet (fat concentration >43.1%) in humans (14) Maternal high fat diet associated with decreased numbers of Bacteroidetes colonies in neonates for up to 6 weeks postnatally Maternal high fat diet in human and animal models (15) Diminish of Lactobacillus reuteri in bacterial colonization of neonatal gut Prenatal and postnatal maternal supplementation with iron and folic acid and multiple micronutrients (16) No statistical significant alteration in a and b* diversity of gut microbiome Maternal consumption of lipid based nutrient supplements (prenatally and postnatally) (16) Increased infant gut microbiota diversity at 18 months postpartum. No difference was noted regarding b diversity.…”

Decoding the Role of Gut-Microbiome in the Food Addiction Paradigm

“…Both human and non-human studies evidence that there is a close association between maternal diet, maternal microbiome and infant microbiome. Hence, nutrition during pregnancy modulates maternal microbiota, and this could lead to a negative impact on offspring brain development due to infant dysbiosis [ 186 , 187 ]. Accordingly, all gestational complications affecting maternal microbiomes can potentially cause neurodevelopmental disorders and exert long-lasting effects on offspring behaviour [ 188 ].…”