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Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2022) | Viewed by 37133

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Prof. Dr. Irene Cetin

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1. Department of Mother, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy
Interests: pregnancy; maternal nutrition; perinatal programming; intrauterine growth; placental diseases; maternal immunization
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Dr. Francesca Parisi

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Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
Interests: microbiome; infant; nutrition; breastfeeding

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental and nutritional exposures in early life have been strongly associated with short- and long-term health outcomes in humans. In particular, maternal adherence to healthy dietary patterns has been associated with adequate maternal adaptation to pregnancy, optimal placental function, and intrauterine growth and development, thus lowering the risk of pregnancy complications. Furthermore, the developmental model for the origins of disease underlines the role of the fetal environment in shaping later health risks and disease predisposition, both in childhood and adulthood. In this setting, the role of maternal microbiome and bacterial colonization of the newborn gut are essential in defining immune responses and predisposition to long-term chronic inflammation and diseases.

This Special Issue summarizes the key points concerning nutritional exposures and development of the microbiota from pregnancy to early infancy by focusing on:

Maternal nutrition in pregnancy with short-and long-term health outcomes in the offspring;
Association between maternal nutrition and maternal-neonatal microbiota;
Maternal microbiome shift (oral, gut and vagina) during pregnancy and effects of dysbiosis;
Beginning of in utero microbial colonization of adnexa and fetus (facts and hypothesis);
Role of delivery and breastfeeding;
Long-term health outcomes of microbiome alterations (immunological, endocrinological, neurodevelopmental);
Microbiome changes in pathological neonates (preterm, IUGR) and potential for treatment.

Taken together, the findings strengthen the awareness that maternal nutrition and microbiota from preconception to the postnatal period may be a strong determinant of the offspring’s health. Critical topics to be addressed in future research and translated into recommendations of public health relevance are also highlighted.

Prof. Dr. Irene Cetin
Dr. Francesca Parisi
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vaginal Microbiome in Pregnant Women with and without Short Cervix

by Angela Silvano, Niccolò Meriggi, Sonia Renzi, Viola Seravalli, Maria Gabriella Torcia, Duccio Cavalieri and Mariarosaria Di Tommaso

Nutrients 2023, 15(9), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092173 - 2 May 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2915

Abstract

Cervical shortening is a recognised risk factor for pre-term birth. The vaginal microbiome plays an essential role in pregnancy and in maternal and foetal outcomes. We studied the vaginal microbiome in 68 women with singleton gestation and a cervical length ≤25 mm and in 29 pregnant women with a cervix >25 mm in the second or early third trimester. Illumina protocol 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation was used to detail amplified 16SrRNA gene. Statistical analyses were performed in R environment. Firmicutes was the phylum most represented in all pregnant women. The mean relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota was higher in women with a short cervix. Bacterial abundance was higher in women with a normal length cervix compared to the group of women with a short cervix. Nonetheless, a significant enrichment in bacterial taxa poorly represented in vaginal microbiome was observed in the group of women with a short cervix. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, taxa usually found in aerobic vaginitis, were more common in women with a short cervix compared with the control group, while Lactobacillus iners and Bifidobacterium were associated with a normal cervical length. Lactobacillus jensenii and Gardenerella vaginalis were associated with a short cervix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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16 pages, 4070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Analysis of the Intestinal Microbiota among a Cohort of Children in Rural and Urban Areas of Pakistan

by Veeraraghavan Balaji, Duy M. Dinh, Anne V. Kane, Sajid Soofi, Imran Ahmed, Arjumand Rizvi, Meera Chatterjee, Sudhir Babji, Joanne Duara, Joy Moy, Elena N. Naumova, Christine A. Wanke, Honorine D. Ward and Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Nutrients 2023, 15(5), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051213 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3197

Abstract

The profile of the intestinal microbiota is known to be altered in malnourished young children in low- and middle-income countries. However, there are limited studies longitudinally evaluating the intestinal microbiota in malnourished young children in resource-limited settings over the first two years of life. In this longitudinal pilot study, we determined the effect of age, residential location, and intervention on the composition, relative abundance, and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in a representative sample of children under 24 months of age with no diarrhea in the preceding 72 h in the urban and rural areas of Sindh, Pakistan nested within a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the effect of zinc and micronutrients on growth and morbidity (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00705445). The major findings were age-related with significant changes in alpha and beta diversity with increasing age. There was a significant increase in the relative abundance of the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla and a significant decrease in that of the Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria phyla (p < 0.0001). There were significant increases in the relative abundances of the major genera Bifidobacterium, Escherichia/Shigella and Streptococcus (p < 0.0001), and no significant change in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Using the LEfSE algorithm, differentially abundant taxa were identified between children in the first and second years of age, between those residing in rural and urban areas, and those who received different interventions at different ages from 3 to 24 months. The numbers of malnourished (underweight, wasted, stunted) or well-nourished children at each age, in each intervention arm, and at urban or rural sites were too small to determine if there were significant differences in alpha or beta diversity or differentially abundant taxa among them. Further longitudinal studies with larger numbers of well-nourished and malnourished children are required to fully characterize the intestinal microbiota of children in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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14 pages, 1958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Celiac Disease Predisposition and Genital Tract Microbiota in Women Affected by Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

by Luca Masucci, Silvia D’Ippolito, Flavio De Maio, Gianluca Quaranta, Roberta Mazzarella, Delia Mercedes Bianco, Roberta Castellani, Annalisa Inversetti, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Antonio Gasbarrini, Giovanni Scambia and Nicoletta Di Simone

Nutrients 2023, 15(1), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010221 - 1 Jan 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3485

Abstract

The incidence of Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) is doubled in patients suffering from Celiac Disease (CD) compared to healthy populations. CD genetic components are HLA class II genes known as HLA-DQ2 and DQ8. Genetically susceptible women can remain asymptomatic even though they are exposed to a doubled risk of RPL compared to the general population. Furthermore, CD has been associated with microbiota alterations. The aim of this study is to evaluate endometrial and vaginal microbiota in HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positive and negative RPL patients compared to healthy pregnant women. Endometrial and vaginal microbiota of 3 subgroups were evaluated: 15 HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positive RPL women, 25 HLA DQ2/DQ8 negative RPL women (for a total of 40 RPL women) and 7 healthy fertile controls with previous uncomplicated pregnancies (all HLA-DQ2/DQ8 negative). The 2 RPL subgroups (HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positive and negative) showed a different endometrial and vaginal composition in the Lactobacillacae family compared to controls: Lactobacillus acidophilus was absent both in the vaginal and endometrial samples of RPL women, while Lactobaciluus iners, which can favor a less stable vaginal microbiota, was found only in RPL women (26.4% in HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive and 22.1% HLA DQ2/DQ8 negative) in both the vaginal and endometrial districts. In conclusion, both HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive-RPL and HLA DQ2/DQ8 negative-RPL women showed different endometrial and vaginal microbiota composition compared to healthy controls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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15 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Maternal Dietary Patterns, Biomarkers and Delivery Outcomes in Healthy Singleton Pregnancies: Multicenter Italian GIFt Study

by Gaia Maria Anelli, Francesca Parisi, Laura Sarno, Ottavia Fornaciari, Annunziata Carlea, Chiara Coco, Matteo Della Porta, Nunzia Mollo, Paola Maria Villa, Maurizio Guida, Roberta Cazzola, Ersilia Troiano, Monica Pasotti, Graziella Volpi, Laura Vetrani, Manuela Maione and Irene Cetin

Nutrients 2022, 14(17), 3631; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173631 - 2 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2969

Abstract

Background: Maternal nutrition represents a critical risk factor for adverse health outcomes in both mother and offspring. We aimed to investigate associations between maternal nutritional habits, biomarker status, and pregnancy outcome among Italian healthy normal-weight pregnancies. Methods: Multicenter prospective cohort study recruiting Italian healthy normal-weight women with singleton spontaneous pregnancies at 20 ± 2 weeks (T1) in Milan and Naples. All patients underwent nutritional evaluations by our collecting a 7-day weighed dietary record at 25 ± 1 weeks (T2) and a Food Frequency Questionnaire at 29 ± 2 weeks (T3). Maternal venous blood samples were collected at T3 to assess nutritional, inflammatory and oxidative biomarker concentrations (RBCs folate, vitamin D, hepcidin, total antioxidant capacity). Pregnancy outcomes were collected at delivery (T4). General linear models adjusted for confounding factors were estimated to investigate associations between maternal dietary pattern adherence, nutrient intakes, biomarker concentrations and delivery outcomes. Results: 219 healthy normal-weight pregnant women were enrolled. Vitamin D and RBCs folate concentrations, as well as micronutrient intakes, were consistently below the recommended range. In a multi-adjusted model, maternal adherence to the most prevalent ‘high meat, animal fats, grains’ dietary pattern was positively associated with hepcidin concentrations and negatively associated with gestational age at delivery in pregnancies carrying female fetuses. Hepcidin plasma levels were further negatively associated to placental weight, whereas vitamin D concentrations were positively associated to neonatal weight. Conclusions: A high adherence to an unbalanced ‘high meat, animal fats, grains’ pattern was detected among Italian normal-weight low-risk pregnancies, further associated with maternal pro-inflammatory status and gestational age at delivery. This evidence underlines the need for a dedicated nutritional counseling even among low-risk pregnancies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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19 pages, 3309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acceptability of the FIGO Nutrition Checklist in Preconception and Early Pregnancy to Assess Nutritional Status and Prevent Excess Gestational Weight Gain: A Study of Women and Healthcare Practitioners in the UK

by Chandni Maria Jacob, Hazel M. Inskip, Wendy Lawrence, Carmel McGrath, Fionnuala M. McAuliffe, Sarah Louise Killeen, Hema Divakar and Mark Hanson

Nutrients 2022, 14(17), 3623; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173623 - 1 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4274

Abstract

Optimum nutrition and weight before and during pregnancy are associated with a lower risk of conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. There is a lack of user-friendly tools in most clinical settings to support healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in implementing them. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability of (1) using a nutrition checklist designed by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) for nutritional screening of women in the preconception and early pregnancy period and (2) routine discussion of nutrition and weight in clinical care. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with women (aged 18–45) and HCPs (e.g., general practitioners, obstetricians, and midwives). Quantitative statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis were performed. The concept and content of the checklist were acceptable to women (n = 251) and HCPs (n = 47) (over 80% in both groups). Several barriers exist to implementation such as lack of time, training for HCPs, and the need for sensitive and non-stigmatizing communication. Routine discussion of nutrition was considered important by both groups; however, results suggest that nutrition is not regularly discussed in perinatal visits in the UK. The FIGO nutrition checklist presents a valuable resource for use in clinical practice, offering long-term and intergenerational benefits for both mother and baby. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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14 pages, 2380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Weaning with Adult Food Typical of the Mediterranean Diet on Taste Development and Eating Habits of Children: A Randomized Trial

by Raffaella de Franchis, Luigi Bozza, Pasquale Canale, Maria Chiacchio, Paolo Cortese, Antonio D’Avino, Maria De Giovanni, Mirella Dello Iacovo, Antonietta D’Onofrio, Aniello Federico, Nicoletta Gasparini, Felicia Iaccarino, Giuseppe Romano, Raffaella Spadaro, Mariangela Tedesco, Giuseppe Vitiello, Angelo Antignani, Salvatore Auricchio, Vincenzo Valentino, Francesca De Filippis, Danilo Ercolini and Dario Bruzzese Show full author list Hide full author list

Nutrients 2022, 14(12), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14122486 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3745

Abstract

Mediterranean Diet (Med Diet) is one of the healthiest dietary patterns. We aimed to verify the effects of weaning (i.e., the introduction of solid foods in infants previously fed only with milk) using adult foods typical of Med Diet on children eating habits, and on the microbiota composition. A randomized controlled clinical trial on 394 healthy infants randomized in a 1:1 ratio in a Med Diet group weaned with fresh; seasonal and tasty foods of Med Diet and control group predominantly weaned with industrial baby foods. The primary end point was the percentage of children showing a good adherence to Med Diet at 36 months. Secondary end points were mother’s changes in adherence to Med Diet and differences in children gut microbiota. At 36 months, children showing a good adherence to Med Diet were 59.3% in the Med Diet group and 34.3% in the control group (p < 0.001). An increase in adherence to the Med Diet was observed in the mothers of the Med Diet group children (p < 0.001). At 4 years of age children in the Med Diet group had a higher gut microbial diversity and a higher abundance of beneficial taxa. A Mediterranean weaning with adult food may become a strategy for early nutritional education, to develop a healthy microbiota, to prevent inflammatory chronic diseases and to ameliorate eating habits in children and their families. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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17 pages, 3953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Macronutrient Composition of Infant Formula Produces Differences in Gut Microbiota Maturation That Associate with Weight Gain Velocity and Weight Status

by Julie A. Mennella, Yun Li, Kyle Bittinger, Elliot S. Friedman, Chunyu Zhao, Hongzhe Li, Gary D. Wu and Jillian C. Trabulsi

Nutrients 2022, 14(6), 1241; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14061241 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4228

Abstract

This proof-of-principle study analyzed fecal samples from 30 infants who participated in a randomized controlled trial on the effects of the macronutrient composition of infant formula on growth and energy balance. In that study, infants randomized to be fed cow milk formula (CMF) had faster weight-gain velocity during the first 4 months and higher weight-for-length Z scores up to 11.5 months than those randomized to an isocaloric extensive protein hydrolysate formula (EHF). Here we examined associations among infant formula composition, gut microbial composition and maturation, and children’s weight status. Fecal samples collected before and monthly up to 4.5 months after randomization were analyzed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and targeted metabolomics. The EHF group had faster maturation of gut microbiota than the CMF group, and increased alpha diversity driven by Clostridia taxa. Abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus distinguished the two groups after exclusive feeding of the assigned formula for 3 months. Abundance of Clostridia at 3–4 months negatively correlated with prior weight-gain velocity and body weight phenotypes when they became toddlers. Macronutrient differences between the formulas likely led to the observed divergence in gut microbiota composition that was associated with differences in transient rapid weight gain, a well-established predictor of childhood obesity and other comorbidities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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Review

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16 pages, 1191 KiB

Open AccessReview

Obesity, Pregnancy and the Social Contract with Today’s Adolescents

by Cristiana Berti, Shirin Elahi, Patrick Catalano, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Michael B. Krawinkel, Francesca Parisi, Carlo Agostoni, Irene Cetin and Mark Hanson

Nutrients 2022, 14(17), 3550; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173550 - 28 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4069

Abstract

Adolescent health and well-being are of great concern worldwide, and adolescents encounter particular challenges, vulnerabilities and constraints. The dual challenges of adolescent parenthood and obesity are of public health relevance because of the life-altering health and socioeconomic effects on both the parents and the offspring. Prevention and treatment strategies at the individual and population levels have not been successful in the long term, suggesting that adolescent pregnancy and obesity cannot be managed by more of the same. Here, we view adolescent obese pregnancy through the lens of the social contract with youth. The disruption of this contract is faced by today’s adolescents, with work, social and economic dilemmas which perpetuate socioeconomic and health inequities across generations. The lack of employment, education and social opportunities, together with obesogenic settings, increase vulnerability and exposure to lifelong health risks, affecting their offspring’s life chances too. To break such vicious circles of disadvantage and achieve sustainable solutions in real-world settings, strong efforts on the part of policymakers, healthcare providers and the community must be oriented towards guaranteeing equity and healthy nutrition and environments for today’s adolescents. The involvement of adolescents themselves in developing such programs is paramount, not only so that they feel a sense of agency but also to better meet their real life needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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24 pages, 1372 KiB

Open AccessReview

Special Diets in Infants and Children and Impact on Gut Microbioma

by Elisabetta Di Profio, Vittoria Carlotta Magenes, Giulia Fiore, Marta Agostinelli, Alice La Mendola, Miriam Acunzo, Ruggiero Francavilla, Flavia Indrio, Alessandra Bosetti, Enza D’Auria, Elisa Borghi, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti and Elvira Verduci

Nutrients 2022, 14(15), 3198; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14153198 - 4 Aug 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 7134

Abstract

Gut microbiota is a complex system that starts to take shape early in life. Several factors influence the rise of microbial gut colonization, such as term and mode of delivery, exposure to antibiotics, maternal diet, presence of siblings and family members, pets, genetics, local environment, and geographical location. Breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and later dietary patterns during infancy and toddlerhood are major players in the proper development of microbial communities. Nonetheless, if dysbiosis occurs, gut microbiota may remain impaired throughout life, leading to deleterious consequences, such as greater predisposition to non-communicable diseases, more susceptible immune system and altered gut–brain axis. Children with specific diseases (i.e., food allergies, inborn errors of metabolism, celiac disease) need a special formula and later a special diet, excluding certain foods or nutrients. We searched on PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Embase for relevant pediatric studies published over the last twenty years on gut microbiota dietary patterns and excluded case reports or series and letters. The aim of this review is to highlight the changes in the gut microbiota in infants and children fed with special formula or diets for therapeutic requirements and, its potential health implications, with respect to gut microbiota under standard diets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Microbiome Development)

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