Epigenetic changes at birth are associated with an infant's microbiome and neurodevelopment
Epigenetic patterns at birth influence the development of the infant gut microbiome during the first year and are associated with later neurodevelopmental signs, including ASD and ADHD. Specific gut microbes, such as Lachnospira pectinoschiza and Parabacteroides distasonis, may mitigate the risk of these neurodevelopmental conditions in children with certain epigenetic profiles.
The gut microbiome and epigenetics—molecular switches that turn genes on or off—are intertwined, and both contribute to neurodevelopment, finds a study published in Cell Press Blue. The researchers showed that epigenetic changes present at birth can impact how an infant's gut microbiome develops during their first year.
They also identified specific epigenetic changes and gut microbes that were associated with signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when the children were three years old.

Certain bacteria seem to offer protection, which is exciting because it suggests there could be ways to support a child's development through diet or probiotics in the future.
Early life biology matters:
The first years of life are critical for brain development and immune system maturation. Though previous studies have shown that both early epigenetic changes and gut microbiome development can impact health in later life, little is known about how these two systems interact.
Researchers discovered a kind of conversation happening: a baby's epigenetic setting at birth can influence their risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, but the presence of certain 'good' bacteria in their gut can step in and modify the risk.
The researchers characterized DNA methylation patterns—a type of epigenetic change—from the umbilical cord blood of 571 infants. They paired this information with gut microbiome data collected from 969 infants at 2, 6, and 12 months of age, and from their parents during the third trimester of pregnancy.

When the children reached 36 months of age, the researchers used a behavioral questionnaire to assess their neurodevelopment and investigate links between the microbiome, epigenome, and early signs of ASD and ADHD.
They found that an infant's epigenome at birth was associated with birth mode, length of gestation, having older siblings, and maternal allergies, but it was not affected by their parents' gut microbiomes.

Microbiome development, on the other hand, was associated with birth mode, antibiotics, having older siblings, and breastfeeding. Infants who were born by cesarean section showed different patterns of DNA methylation for several genes involved in immune responses and brain development.
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The team also showed that an infant's epigenome at birth impacted how their microbiome developed during their first year. Specifically, infants developed less diverse gut microbiomes at 12 months of age when they showed higher rates of DNA methylation in immune genes involved in recognizing pathogens.

The behavioral survey revealed that signs of ASD and ADHD in 3-year-olds were associated with specific epigenetic patterns and the presence of certain gut microbes.

However, other microbial species seemed to mitigate these effects: infants with epigenetic patterns associated with ASD or ADHD were less likely to show signs of the disorders if they acquired Lachnospira pectinoschiza and Parabacteroides distasonis, respectively, during their first year.

Epigenome–microbiome interplay in early life associates with infants' neurodevelopmental outcomes, Cell Press Blue (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cpblue.2026.100009. www.cell.com/cell-press-blue/f … 3051-3839(26)00007-1

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Too young for the MMR shot, babies become 'sitting ducks' in measles outbreaks
Infants too young for measles vaccination are highly vulnerable during outbreaks, relying on herd immunity, which requires ≥95% community vaccination coverage. Declining vaccination rates and increased exemptions have eroded this protection, leading to significant outbreaks and increased risk of severe illness or death in infants. Legislative efforts to restrict vaccine requirements may further reduce coverage and increase disease spread.
Source: News agencies