Scoping review uncovers environmental shaping of gut microbiota and neurodevelopment in early childhood, highlighting implications for early care and education.
Key Points
To evaluate how the gut microbiota co-constitutes children's physical, cognitive, and emotional development through a relational, biosocial framework.
Conducted a scoping review of 24 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024.
Synthesized findings on the links between gut microbiota composition, environmental factors, and cognitive and emotional development.
Gut microbiota composition and maturation are directly shaped by biological and social environments.
Evidence linking gut microbiota to cognitive functioning and emotional regulation in early childhood is emerging but remains qualitative and inconsistent across studies.