Influence of Maternal Dietary Patterns on Offspring Gut Microbiome and Immunity

The infant gut microbiome plays a vital role in shaping an infant's health and well-being, both in the short term and over the long term. Consequently, the process of proper colonization after birth has become a significant area of focus for many scientists. Various maternal and environmental factors are crucial in influencing this colonization. For instance, the mode of delivery—whether vaginal or cesarean—can significantly impact the initial microbiome composition. Additionally, breastfeeding practices are known to provide beneficial bacteria and essential nutrients that support healthy microbiome development. Exposure to different environments and the maternal diet during and after pregnancy also play significant roles in shaping the infant's gut microbiome. Each of these factors contribute to the complex interplay that ultimately influences an infant's immune system, digestion, and overall health trajectory. Therefore, understanding and optimizing these factors can lead to better health outcomes for children.

This research topic aims to explore the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on offspring microbiota. Recent advances have highlighted the importance of maternal nutrition and dietary patterns in shaping the infant gut microbiome, a critical factor for the child's health and development. While direct transfer of maternal microbiota during gestation has not been conclusively demonstrated, emerging evidence indicates significant interactions between maternal microbiota and metabolites with the developing fetus. Traditionally considered sterile, breast milk is now recognized as a key microbial exposure for infants, particularly when delivered through the entero-mammary pathway. This pathway links maternal nutrition to maternal microbiota and, ultimately, to the infant's microbial colonization. This research topic aims to address the gaps in our understanding by collecting the latest findings on how maternal diet influences these processes. By examining these connections, we aim to provide evidence that can inform nutritional recommendations and interventions to optimize health outcomes for both mothers and their children.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of maternal diet and its impact on offspring gut microbiome, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Assessing the nutritional adequacy of maternal dietary patterns to improve the infant gut microbiota colonization
- Evaluating the breast milk microbiota impact of different maternal dietary patterns
- Exploring maternal vertical transmission of microbiota and microbial metabolites
- Examining the interactions between the maternal diet, the infant gut microbiome, and the immune system development

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: mother’s diet, gestation, lactation, microbiome, infant health, microbiota colonization

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.