Influence of prenatal and postnatal nutrition on endocrine regulation: implications for maternal and child health

The relationship between nutrition during the prenatal and postnatal periods and endocrine regulation is an important area of ​​research with profound implications for maternal and child health. The endocrine system, which is responsible for controlling various body functions via hormones, is very sensitive to nutrient inputs during early development. The concept of 'fetal programming' shows how maternal nutrition can influence the long-term health of the child by influencing the development of the endocrine system in the womb. For example, deficiencies in key nutrients such as iodine, folate and vitamin D during pregnancy can lead to impaired thyroid function, growth disorders and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders in the child.

This Research Topic aims to investigate how prenatal and postnatal nutrition influences hormone regulation to better understand its long-term impact on maternal and child health. Despite progress in identifying key nutrients critical for endocrine development, gaps remain in the understanding of the mechanisms by which nutrition influences hormone regulation and metabolic programming. By examining current knowledge on fetal programming, placental function, and the role of breastfeeding, this Topic aims to develop targeted nutritional interventions to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

This Research Topic examines the complex relationships between prenatal and postnatal nutrition and endocrine regulation, emphasizing their impact on maternal and child health. We invite authors to contribute original research, reviews, and meta-analyses on the following topics:
• Fetal programming and endocrine development: Studies examine how maternal diet affects the development of the fetus' endocrine system and long-term health.
• Effects of nutrition on placental function: Research to investigate the effects of specific nutrients on hormone production and nutrient transfer in the placenta and their subsequent effects on fetal growth and endocrine regulation.
• Breastfeeding and postnatal endocrine regulation: Investigations into the role of breastfeeding in the development of the infant’s endocrine system, including the effects of bioactive compounds in breast milk on metabolic health.
• Nutritional interventions and endocrine-related health outcomes: Studies to evaluate the effectiveness of maternal and child nutritional interventions in preventing or ameliorating endocrine disorders such as obesity, diabetes and developmental delays.

We welcome submissions that use innovative methods such as longitudinal studies, mechanistic research, and interdisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding of how early childhood nutrition affects endocrine function and health across the life course.

Tags: Pregnancy, lactation, child health, maternal

Important NOTE: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to refer a manuscript that is out of scope to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of peer review.

The relationship between nutrition during the prenatal and postnatal periods and endocrine regulation is an important area of ​​research with profound implications for maternal and child health. The endocrine system, which is responsible for controlling various body functions via hormones, is very sensitive to nutrient inputs during early development. The concept of 'fetal programming' shows how maternal nutrition can influence the long-term health of the child by influencing the development of the endocrine system in the womb. For example, deficiencies in key nutrients such as iodine, folate and vitamin D during pregnancy can lead to impaired thyroid function, growth disorders and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders in the child.

This Research Topic aims to investigate how prenatal and postnatal nutrition influences hormone regulation to better understand its long-term impact on maternal and child health. Despite progress in identifying key nutrients critical for endocrine development, gaps remain in the understanding of the mechanisms by which nutrition influences hormone regulation and metabolic programming. By examining current knowledge on fetal programming, placental function, and the role of breastfeeding, this Topic aims to develop targeted nutritional interventions to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

This Research Topic examines the complex relationships between prenatal and postnatal nutrition and endocrine regulation, emphasizing their impact on maternal and child health. We invite authors to contribute original research, reviews, and meta-analyses on the following topics:
• Fetal programming and endocrine development: Studies examine how maternal diet affects the development of the fetus' endocrine system and long-term health.
• Effects of nutrition on placental function: Research to investigate the effects of specific nutrients on hormone production and nutrient transfer in the placenta and their subsequent effects on fetal growth and endocrine regulation.
• Breastfeeding and postnatal endocrine regulation: Investigations into the role of breastfeeding in the development of the infant’s endocrine system, including the effects of bioactive compounds in breast milk on metabolic health.
• Nutritional interventions and endocrine-related health outcomes: Studies to evaluate the effectiveness of maternal and child nutritional interventions in preventing or ameliorating endocrine disorders such as obesity, diabetes and developmental delays.

We welcome submissions that use innovative methods such as longitudinal studies, mechanistic research, and interdisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding of how early childhood nutrition affects endocrine function and health across the life course.

Tags: Pregnancy, lactation, child health, maternal

Important NOTE: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to refer a manuscript that is out of scope to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of peer review.