Exploring Nutritional Interventions to Mitigate Endocrine Disorders in Maternal and Child Health

The relationship between nutrition during prenatal and postnatal periods and endocrine regulation is a critical area of research with profound implications for maternal and child health. The endocrine system, responsible for managing various bodily functions via hormones, is highly sensitive to nutritional inputs during early development. The concept of "fetal programming" highlights how maternal nutrition can influence the long-term health of the child by affecting the development of the endocrine system in utero. For instance, deficiencies in key nutrients such as iodine, folic acid, and vitamin D during pregnancy can lead to disrupted thyroid function, impaired growth, and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders in the child. Despite advances in identifying key nutrients critical for endocrine development, gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms by which nutrition affects hormonal regulation and metabolic programming. By exploring recent findings in fetal programming, placental function, and the role of breastfeeding, this topic aims to develop targeted nutritional interventions to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

This Research Topic aims to investigate how prenatal and postnatal nutrition influence endocrine regulation, to further understand their long-term impacts on maternal and child health. The objective is to delve into the mechanisms by which nutrition affects hormonal regulation and metabolic programming, and to identify potential nutritional interventions that can mitigate the risk of endocrine-related disorders. By addressing these questions, the topic seeks to enhance our understanding of the intricate connections between early-life nutrition and endocrine function.

To gather further insights in the complex interplay between nutrition and endocrine regulation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes. Innovative methodologies, such as longitudinal studies, mechanistic research, and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.
- Fetal Programming and Endocrine Development: Studies examining how maternal nutrition influences fetal endocrine system development and long-term health outcomes.
- Nutritional Impact on Placental Function: Research exploring how specific nutrients affect placental hormone production and nutrient transfer, and their subsequent effects on fetal growth and endocrine regulation.
- Breastfeeding and Postnatal Endocrine Regulation: Investigations into the role of breastfeeding in shaping the infant’s endocrine system, including the impact of bioactive compounds in breast milk on metabolic health.
- Nutritional Interventions and Endocrine-Related Health Outcomes: Studies evaluating the effectiveness of maternal and infant nutritional interventions in preventing or mitigating endocrine-related disorders like obesity, diabetes, and developmental delays.