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Willemsen Y, Ou Y, Belzer C, Arias Vásquez A, Smidt H, Beijers R, de Weerth C. A longitudinal study of the gut microbiota during the first three years of life: Links with problem behavior and executive functions at preschool age. Dev Psychopathol 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37994488 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423001402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Early life is a sensitive period when microbiota-gut-brain interactions may have important impact on development. This study investigated the associations of the gut microbiota in the first three years of life (two, six, and 12 weeks, and one and three years) with problem behavior and executive functions in N = 64 three-year-old children. Higher relative abundance of Streptococcus at the age of two weeks, as well as its trajectory over time (including ages two, six and 12 weeks, and one and three years), was related to worse executive functions. Higher relative abundance of [Ruminococcus] torques group at the age of three years, as well as its trajectory from one to three years, was associated with less internalizing behavior. Besides, several robust age-specific associations were identified: higher Bifidobacterium relative abundance (age three years) was associated with more internalizing and externalizing issues; higher Blautia relative abundance (age three years) was linked to less internalizing behavior; and increased relative abundance of an unidentified Enterobacteriaceae genus (age two weeks) was related to more externalizing behavior. Our findings provide important longitudinal evidence that early-life gut microbiota may be linked to behavioral and cognitive development in low-risk children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Willemsen
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yangwenshan Ou
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Clara Belzer
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Arias Vásquez
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Donders Center for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Toubon G, Butel MJ, Rozé JC, Nicolis I, Delannoy J, Zaros C, Ancel PY, Aires J, Charles MA. Early Life Factors Influencing Children Gut Microbiota at 3.5 Years from Two French Birth Cohorts. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1390. [PMID: 37374892 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Early life gut microbiota-influencing factors may play an important role in programming individuals long-term health and substantial efforts have been devoted into studying the development of the gut microbiota in relation to early life events. This study aimed to examine in a single study, the persistence of associations between 20 factors occurring in the early life and the gut microbiota at 3.5 years of 798 children from two French nationwide birth cohorts, EPIPAGE 2 (very preterm children) and ELFE (late preterm and full-term children). Gut microbiota profiling was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based method. Upon thorough adjustment of confounding factors, we demonstrated that gestational age was one of the factors most associated with gut microbiota differences with a noticeable imprint of prematurity at 3.5 years of age. Children born by cesarean section harbored lower richness and diversity and a different overall gut microbiota composition independently of preterm status. Children who had ever received human milk were associated with a Prevotella-driven enterotype (P_type) compared to those who had never received human milk. Living with a sibling was associated with higher diversity. Children with siblings and those attending daycare centers were associated with a P_type enterotype. Maternal factors including the country of birth and preconception maternal body mass index were associated with some microbiota characteristics: children born to overweight or obese mothers showed increased gut microbiota richness. This study reveals that multiple exposures operating from early life imprint the gut microbiota at 3.5 years that is a pivotal age when the gut microbiota acquires many of its adult characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Toubon
- Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et StatistiqueS (CRESS), Inserm, INRAE, Université Paris Cité et Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 75004 Paris, France
- Physiopathologie et Pharmacotoxicologie Placentaire Humaine Microbiote Pré & Postnatal (3PHM), Inserm, UMR-S 1139, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- FHU PREMA, Fighting Prematurity, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Marie-José Butel
- Physiopathologie et Pharmacotoxicologie Placentaire Humaine Microbiote Pré & Postnatal (3PHM), Inserm, UMR-S 1139, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- FHU PREMA, Fighting Prematurity, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Rozé
- Physiologie des Adaptations Nutritionnelles (PhAN), INRAE, UMR 1280, Université Hospitalière de Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Ioannis Nicolis
- EA7537 Biostatistique, Modélisation et Traitement des Données Biologiques (BioSTM), Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Johanne Delannoy
- Physiopathologie et Pharmacotoxicologie Placentaire Humaine Microbiote Pré & Postnatal (3PHM), Inserm, UMR-S 1139, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- FHU PREMA, Fighting Prematurity, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Zaros
- Ined, Inserm, EFS Joint Unit Elfe, 93322 Aubervilliers, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Ancel
- Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et StatistiqueS (CRESS), Inserm, INRAE, Université Paris Cité et Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 75004 Paris, France
- FHU PREMA, Fighting Prematurity, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Julio Aires
- Physiopathologie et Pharmacotoxicologie Placentaire Humaine Microbiote Pré & Postnatal (3PHM), Inserm, UMR-S 1139, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- FHU PREMA, Fighting Prematurity, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Aline Charles
- Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et StatistiqueS (CRESS), Inserm, INRAE, Université Paris Cité et Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 75004 Paris, France
- Ined, Inserm, EFS Joint Unit Elfe, 93322 Aubervilliers, France
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Willemsen Y, Beijers R, Gu F, Vasquez AA, Schols HA, de Weerth C. Fucosylated Human Milk Oligosaccharides during the First 12 Postnatal Weeks Are Associated with Better Executive Functions in Toddlers. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061463. [PMID: 36986193 PMCID: PMC10057664 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are one of the most abundant solid components in a mother's milk. Animal studies have confirmed a link between early life exposure to HMOs and better cognitive outcomes in the offspring. Human studies on HMOs and associations with later child cognition are scarce. In this preregistered longitudinal study, we investigated whether human milk 2'-fucosyllactose, 3'-sialyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose, grouped fucosylated HMOs, and grouped sialylated HMOs, assessed during the first twelve postnatal weeks, are associated with better child executive functions at age three years. At infant age two, six, and twelve weeks, a sample of human milk was collected by mothers who were exclusively (n = 45) or partially breastfeeding (n = 18). HMO composition was analysed by use of porous graphitized carbon-ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Executive functions were assessed at age three years with two executive function questionnaires independently filled in by mothers and their partners, and four behavioural tasks. Multiple regression analyses were performed in R. Results indicated that concentrations of 2'-fucosyllactose and grouped fucosylated HMOs were associated with better executive functions, while concentrations of grouped sialylated HMOs were associated with worse executive functions at age three years. Future studies on HMOs that sample frequently during the first months of life and experimental HMO administration studies in exclusively formula-fed infants can further reveal associations with child cognitive development and uncover potential causality and sensitive periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Willemsen
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Fangjie Gu
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WG Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Arias Vasquez
- Donders Center for Medical Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Arie Schols
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WG Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Beijers R, Breugelmans S, Brett B, Willemsen Y, Bos P, de Weerth C. Cortisol and testosterone concentrations during the prenatal and postpartum period forecast later caregiving quality in mothers and fathers. Horm Behav 2022; 142:105177. [PMID: 35512479 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Given that parental caregiving quality affects child development from birth onwards, it is important to detect parents who are at risk for low-quality caregiving as early as possible, preferably before or soon after birth. This study investigated whether cortisol (CORT) and testosterone (T) measured during the last trimester of pregnancy and six weeks postpartum were associated with observed caregiving quality at child age 3 in mothers (N = 63) and fathers (N = 45). CORT and T were measured during an interaction with a simulator infant (pregnancy) and their own infant (postpartum). In mothers, no associations were found with CORT and T during pregnancy, but higher postpartum CORT during a mother-infant interaction was related to higher caregiving quality during toddlerhood. In fathers, the association between T during pregnancy and caregiving quality in toddlerhood was more negative for fathers with low CORT. In contrast to mothers, higher postpartum CORT in fathers was associated with lower caregiving quality in toddlerhood. These findings proved robust after applying the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure to control for false discovery rate. Our findings indicate that CORT and T during the perinatal period can forecast caregiving quality in both mothers and fathers. Moreover, our results provided evidence for the dual-hormone hypothesis, but only in fathers. These findings contribute to our growing understanding on how endocrine measures explain individual differences in caregiving quality in mothers and fathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Social Development, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
| | - Sara Breugelmans
- Department of Social Development, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands
| | - Bonnie Brett
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Willemsen
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Bos
- Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
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Ou Y, Belzer C, Smidt H, de Weerth C. Development of the gut microbiota in healthy children in the first ten years of life: associations with internalizing and externalizing behavior. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2038853. [PMID: 35188073 PMCID: PMC8865293 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2038853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates that psychopathological disorders are associated with the gut microbiota. However, data are largely lacking from long-term longitudinal birth cohorts, especially those comprising low-risk healthy individuals. Therefore, this study aims to describe gut microbiota development in healthy children from birth till age 10 years, as well as to investigate potential associations with internalizing and externalizing behavior. RESULTS Fecal microbial composition of participants in an ongoing longitudinal study (N = 193) was analyzed at 1, 3 and 4 months, and 6 and 10 years of age by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Based on these data, three clusters were identified in infancy, two of which were predominated by Bifidobacterium. In childhood, four clusters were observed, two of which increased in prevalence with age. One of the childhood clusters, similar to an enterotype, was highly enriched in genus-level taxon Prevotella_9. Breastfeeding had marked associations with microbiota composition up till age 10, implying an extended role in shaping gut microbial ecology. Microbial clusters were not associated with behavior. However, Prevotella_9 in childhood was positively related to mother-reported externalizing behavior at age 10; this was validated in child reports. CONCLUSIONS This study validated previous findings on Bifidobacterium-enriched and -depleted clusters in infancy. Importantly, it also mapped continued development of gut microbiota in middle childhood. Novel associations between gut microbial composition in the first 10 years of life (especially Prevotella_9), and externalizing behavior at age 10 were found. Replications in other cohorts, as well as follow-up assessments, will help determine the significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangwenshan Ou
- Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8033, EH Wageningen, 6700Netherlands,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9010, 6500GL Nijmegen, Netherlands,CONTACT Yangwenshan Ou Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8033, 6700EH Wageningen; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Clara Belzer
- Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8033, EH Wageningen, 6700Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8033, EH Wageningen, 6700Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9010, 6500GL Nijmegen, Netherlands
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