Longitudinal Relations Between Early Life Stress, Gut Microbiota, and Executive Functioning from Pregnancy to Childhood

Research suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy and early life experiences can influence the development of a baby’s gut microbiota, which plays a key role in health and development. This study examined how maternal stress, childcare entry, and skin-to-skin contact relate to the gut microbiota of infants and its potential link to learning and memory in later childhood. We found that maternal stress can alter gut bacteria in both mothers and babies. Early skin-to-skin contact sessions resulted in a more stable gut microbiota in infants. However, we found little evidence that the gut microbiota directly affects memory or attention in healthy school-aged children. This research helps us better understand how early environmental factors impact gut health and possibly children’s development.