In this work (1), the authors examined the possible relationships between metabolism and food consumed during pregnancy, and in particular during the 24th week (approximately 6 months of gestation), and the incidence of neurodevelopmental diseases such as autism and ADHD. The study examined the development of children at the age of 10 in a cohort of 508 women who had followed a Western diet (the type of food was reported by the people involved in the project). The study establishes a relationship between this type of diet and the incidence of autism and ADHD.
They used three cohorts (n = 59,725, n = 656 and n = 348) of data based on the type of food the mothers said they ate. They then established metabolomic models on maternal and foetal blood from these menus and identified 15 metabolites that significantly increase the risk of ADHD. The study confirms the association between consumption of Western foods during the second half of pregnancy and the incidence of developmental disorders. The factors identified include the consumption of animal fat and sugary energy drinks, and are negatively correlated with the consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish – in short, healthy food. Of course, these correlations are complex, as they are also linked to other aggravating factors, such as obesity, smoking and a potential genetic predisposition.
Other studies, notably in Norway (involving more than 77,000 mothers), have highlighted the negative effects of an industrial diet during pregnancy. Certain microbial metabolites could have a positive effect by reducing the risk of developmental diseases, perhaps by limiting inflammation and promoting an early brain/microbiota relationship. The authors stress the limits of the geno-centric vision, which ignores the importance of the environment, particularly food, during pregnancy. Clearly, this period in mid-pregnancy seems particularly sensitive and vulnerable to the effects of the food we eat. It is therefore important to adapt the diet to this period in order to reduce the increasing incidence of developmental disorders. Other studies have also highlighted the link between socio-economic background and developmental disorders, which are probably linked to the same types of factors. Admittedly, the complexity of the interactions makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions, as in any epidemiological study, but the data are sufficiently explicit and clear to be reliable. The message is unequivocal: protecting pregnancy is still one of the best ways of reducing these disorders, and that includes eating well. In a series of short videos, we see the beauty and complexity of what goes on in mum’s womb. It’s a real training ground for future gestures (2).
1) https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-025-01230-z.epdf?sharing_token=lvS3wUCV-amlCunc4cfycdRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0NJhCjo7AkubRrD2Sf0n4jWpvZ2_3vitnsXkHhTk7osr8UotlMMsHvp_Kj1X5-EI8cTM3PIwcx6gXbfPYxQjLn5YoHk8IaNog5JZLitxVyT7vItijzk9mz9aMW3N5PZ4m8%3D
2) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexandre-mensier-6a454a10a_maman-bebes-loveyou-activity-7286825141953519616-vlUV/
