An Updated Narrative Mini-Review on the Microbiota Changes in Antenatal and Post-Partum Depression
Bogdan Doroftei1,2,3, Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie4, Roxana Diaconu2,3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", University Street, No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Insights
Maternal depression, including antenatal and post-partum depression, significantly alters gut microbiota in mothers and infants. This dysbiosis impacts cognitive development and immune function, highlighting the gut microbiome
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neurogastroenterology
- Maternal mental health
Background:
- Antenatal depression (AND) and post-partum depression (PPD) are debilitating psychiatric disorders.
- These conditions significantly influence maternal and infant gut flora composition from intrauterine life.
- Altered bacterial ratios impact the immune system and increase risks for severe health disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a narrative mini-review of studies published between 2018-2022.
- To gather evidence on microflora changes during all three stages of pregnancy.
- To explore the bidirectional modulation of behavior and microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search for studies published 2018-2022.
- Analysis of 47 potentially eligible studies, with 7 focusing on translocations.
- Categorization of remaining studies based on modulation factors: probiotics, diet, stress, etc.
Main Results:
- Dysbacteriosis is linked to cognitive impairments and lasting behavioral changes up to age two.
- Fecal matter transfer is a viable clinical approach for gastrointestinal deficiencies.
- Antibiotics and exogenous stressors are identified as gut-dysbiosis drivers.
- Rodent models lacking microbiota provide crucial insights into gut-brain axis functions.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota is a critical organ with essential functionality.
- Microbiota health is crucial for overall well-being and may be key in psychiatric disorder etiology.
- Further research is needed to establish clear links between maternal microbiota and clinical outcomes.
Background:
Antenatal depression (AND) and post-partum depression (PPD) are long-term debilitating psychiatric disorders that significantly influence the composition of the gut flora of mothers and infants that starts from the intrauterine life. Not only does bacterial ratio shift impact the immune system, but it also increases the risk of potentially life-threatening disorders.
Material And Methods:
Therefore, we conducted a narrative mini-review aiming to gather all evidence published between 2018-2022 regarding microflora changes in all three stages of pregnancy.
Results:
We initially identified 47 potentially eligible studies, from which only 7 strictly report translocations; 3 were conducted on rodent models and 4 on human patients. The remaining studies were divided based on their topic, precisely focused on how probiotics, breastfeeding, diet, antidepressants, exogenous stressors, and plant-derived compounds modulate in a bidirectional way upon behavior and microbiota. Almost imperatively, dysbacteriosis cause cognitive impairments, reflected by abnormal temperament and personality traits that last up until 2 years old. Thankfully, a distinct technique that involves fecal matter transfer between individuals has been perfected over the years and was successfully translated into clinical practice. It proved to be a reliable approach in diminishing functional non- and gastrointestinal deficiencies, but a clear link between depressive women's gastrointestinal/vaginal microbiota and clinical outcomes following reproductive procedures is yet to be established. Another gut-dysbiosis-driving factor is antibiotics, known for their potential to trigger inflammation. Fortunately, the studies conducted on mice that lack microbiota offer, without a shadow of a doubt, insight.
Conclusions:
It can be concluded that the microbiota is a powerful organ, and its optimum functionality is crucial, likely being the missing puzzle piece in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
01:18Depression: Overview
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...