Maternal Nutrition, Child Development, and Immunity

Abstract

Infant mortality is a leading global health problem, which is, mainly, a consequence of its immature or suppressed immune system, as well as epigenetic and environmental factors governing the fetal and the neonatal periods. Despite the relatively high susceptibility to infections and poor response to vaccinations, the mother provides passive immunity through the transplacental and lactation routes, offering immunoglobulins and bioactive molecules guarding against the potential pathogens. Therefore, maternal nutritional status, in terms of deficiency or excess of macro- or micronutrients, can have detrimental effects during the sensitive period of the ontogeny of the fetal immune system. Commensal bacterial colonies begin to be established within the fetal gut immediately after birth, playing a key role in developing and preserving mucosal immunity. Moreover, psychological stress, either maternal or fetal, can adversely affect the developing immune system of the offspring. In this chapter, the effect of maternal nutrition on the development of the fetal immunity will be extensively discussed.