Recent research progress of prenatal stress-induced disease by disrupting offspring intestinal microbiota

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025 02 v.60 372-377     font:big middle small

Found programs: High-Level Talents Scientific Research Start-Up Foundation of The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University (No. GCC2021009)

Authors:He Yingzhi; Zeng Cizheng; Chen Xuemei; Xie Yuwei; Ao Dang; Liu Ling; Li Wen

Keywords:prenatal stress;parent;microbiota;imbalance;offspring;disease

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2025.02.027

〔Abstract〕 Prenatal stress is a common, systemic, nonspecific stress response that occurs during pregnancy. The gut microbiota, which is known as the “second genome” of the human body, interacts with all major systems of the body. Changes in the gut microbiota can impact the development and health of infants and young children. Advances in research technology have allowed us to uncover the relationship between prenatal stress and imbalances in offspring intestinal microbiota, as well as the development of multiple systemic diseases. However, the exact mechanisms through which prenatal stress disrupts the gut microbiota of offspring remain incompletely understood. This review summarizes the existing research on diseases caused by prenatal stress disrupting the offspring intestinal flora, and seeks future research directions to expand the understanding of the pathogenesis of infant diseases.