Bidirectional relations between the maternal and infant gut microbiome and behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An infant's mother is one of the first sources of neonatal microbial colonization, and infant-maternal dyad microbial variations have been linked to childhood behavioral traits and mental health outcomes. However, how the gut microbiome influences mental health, including potential bidirectional relations between mother and child, remains poorly understood.

Method

Using metagenomic sequencing and behavioral questionnaires, we examined within-person and between-person (mother-infant dyad) associations between the gut microbiota and behavior across the first year of postnatal life (N = 121 dyads; N = 514 stool samples).

Results

There were rapid changes in taxa diversity and gut microbiota composition for infants, whereas the maternal microbiome remains relati

SUBMITTER: Kelsey C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12758567 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature