Pregnant Women's Gut Bacteria Impact Baby's Brain Growth: Study
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The presence of Bifidobacterium breve in the mother's gut during pregnancy promotes healthy brain development in the fetus.
In the study published in the Journal Molecular Metabolism, researchers have compared the fetal brain development in mice with mothers lacking gut bacteria against those with mothers who were given Bifidobacterium breve orally during pregnancy but had no other bacteria in their gut.
Nutrient transport to the brain was enhanced in fetuses of mothers who received Bifidobacterium breve, and other beneficial changes were observed in growth-related cell processes.
Bifidobacterium breve is a beneficial bacterium naturally found in the gut and is available as a supplement in probiotic drinks and tablets.
Obesity or chronic stress can disrupt the gut microbiome of pregnant women, often leading to fetal growth issues. Up to 10% of first-time mothers have babies with low birth weight or fetal growth restriction. Inadequate growth in the womb increases the risk of conditions such as cerebral palsy in infants and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, autism, and schizophrenia later in life.
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