Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Mother-Infant Dyads: No Direct Link to Islet Autoimmunity Development

Highlight

This longitudinal mother-infant cohort study examined fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels from pregnancy through early childhood and found no association between SCFA concentrations and progression to islet autoimmunity (IA), a precursor to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Despite established links between gut microbial metabolites and immune regulation, fecal SCFA levels did not differ significantly between children who developed IA and those who did not. Mothers with T1D had lower SCFA levels during pregnancy, and infants of these mothers showed reduced SCFA concentrations, yet this did not translate to increased IA risk. Introduction of solid foods and higher infant BMI correlated with increases in specific SCFAs, reflecting known dietary influences on the gut microbiota.

Study Background