Intestinal microbiota composition has been linked to brain development. Most of the existing knowledge is however derived from animal studies. The first aim of the study is to examine the association between child's intestinal microbiota and mental and cognitive outcomes up to 4-5 years of age. Further, several pre- and postnatal risk factors associated with child mental health problems have also shown to alter the intestinal microbiota, pointing to a possible mediation. Thus, the second objective of the current proposal is to test whether child's intestinal microbiota mediate the association between prenatal stress, maternal pregnancy disorders and child's mental and cognitive development. Finally, breastfeeding/weaning and human milk composition are one of the most important developmental factors of infant microbiota. The third objective of the current proposal is to evaluate if the known positive developmental effects of breastfeeding are mediated by the child's microbiota.

2023

2027