#Malnutrition #Neurodevelopment #GutMicrobiome #GlobalHealth #DataScience #MachineLearning #NutritionResearch #ChildHealth #LigginsInstitute #icddrb

Thanks to Theo Portlock, Talat Shama, Shahira Kakon, Berit Hartjen, Chris Pook and Brook Wilson for their skills in generating and analyzing the data and writing the manuscript.

Huge thanks to the families in Mirpur, Dhaka & our collaborators at icddr,b, Boston Children’s Hospital, Liggins Institute, & UWI. This is part of the #M4EFaD study, supported by @WellcomeLeap & the governments of Bangladesh & Canada. Let’s improve interventions for children!

Our findings support the hypothesis that prolonged colonization by oral commensal species delay gut microbiome and brain development. While causal links require validation, this study provides insights to improve interventions targeting MAM-associated neurodevelopmental deficits.

Oral commensals (Rothia mucilaginosa, Streptococcus salivarius) increased, while Bacteroides fragilis decreased—tied to lower odd-chain fatty acids, reduced beta/gamma EEG power, & fewer vocalizations. This points to delayed gut & brain development.