Importance of the Microbiome in Neurobehavioral Development in Chidren

Neurodevelopment in children is an essential process. Its importance lies in the fact that the first stages of life are defined as critical for the formation of the brain and later cognitive, emotional and social skills. In this process, the intestinal microbiota is defined by its permanent bioactivity, continuously stimulating the interest in modern medical research. In agreement with the above, we set out to study how the interrelationship between the two entities impacts neurocognitive imbalances. We conducted a review of the most recent published data on the topic of interest. Centralized data attest to a strong correlation between gut dysbiosis and the development of neurological conditions in pediatrics (e.g., depression, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Rett syndrome). The pathophysiology of intercurrents affects many ways, among which emphasizing the neuro-endocrine axis, immune or through the vagus nerve. We also note an apparent overlap of the main stages of neurodevelopment with those of microbiota maturation. In conclusion, we argue that interventions such as diet modification, supplementation with probiotics/prebiotics/symbiotics and fecal matter transplantation represent new research directions in the management of pediatric neurological conditions. Therefore, we believe that current efforts must focus on studying the possible benefits of manipulating the gut microbiota in preventing and ameliorating cognitive-behavioral damage and integrating them into the individualized management protocol of affected children.