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Altered Gut Microbiota Patterns in Young Children with Recent Maltreatment Exposure
Gergana Karaboycheva1,2, Melanie L Conrad1,3, Peggy Dörr2
1Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Severe maltreatment in early childhood significantly alters the gut microbiome, reducing its diversity and changing bacterial composition. These gut microbiome changes in children may impact future mental and physical health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Microbiome Research
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The brain-gut axis is crucial and sensitive to early-life disruptions.
- Psychosocial adversity negatively affects the gut microbiome, impacting health.
- Early life maltreatment is a significant stressor with potential health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gut microbiome composition in young children following maltreatment exposure.
- To assess the relationship between the severity of maltreatment and gut microbial diversity and composition.
Main Methods:
- 88 children (ages 3-7) were assessed for maltreatment using the Maternal Interview for the Classification of Maltreatment (MICM).
- Children were categorized into no, low, and high maltreatment exposure groups.
- Stool samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- High maltreatment exposure was linked to significantly lower gut microbial alpha diversity (Simpson Index).
- No significant differences in beta diversity were observed between groups.
- Specific bacterial genera (Clostridia class) were enriched, while others (Phocaeicola) were depleted in high maltreatment group.
Conclusions:
- Severe maltreatment exposure is associated with significant alterations in the gut microbiota of young children.
- Understanding these microbial changes is vital for predicting and addressing potential psychiatric and somatic health issues.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to explore the long-term impact of maltreatment on the gut microbiome and health outcomes.
Background:
The brain and the intestinal microbiota are highly interconnected and especially vulnerable to disruptions in early life. Emerging evidence indicates that psychosocial adversity detrimentally impacts the intestinal microbiota, affecting both physical and mental health. This study aims to investigate the gut microbiome in young children in the immediate aftermath of maltreatment exposure.
Methods:
Maltreatment exposure was assessed in 88 children (ages 3-7) using the Maternal Interview for the Classification of Maltreatment [MICM]. Children were allocated to three groups according to the number of experienced maltreatment categories: no maltreatment, low maltreatment, and high maltreatment exposures. Stool samples were collected and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.
Results:
Children subjected to high maltreatment exposure exhibited lower alpha diversity in comparison to those with both no and low maltreatment exposure (Simpson Index, Tukey post hoc, p = 0.059 and p = 0.007, respectively). No significant distinctions in beta diversity were identified. High maltreatment exposure was associated with the enrichment of several genera from the class Clostridia (Clostridium, Intestinibacter, Howardella and Butyrivibrio) and the depletion of the genus Phocaeicola (class Bacteriodia).
Conclusions:
Severe maltreatment exposure is associated with alterations in the gut microbiota of young children. Longitudinal trajectories of intestinal microbiota composition in the context of maltreatment may reveal important insights related to psychiatric and somatic health outcomes.
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