Environment and development

Abstract

2 The child is a being undergoing constant development, both somatic development, with the differentiation of various organs, as well as neuropsychomotor development, with psycho-emotional differentiation. Development and environment are closely related; currently, several epigenetic phenomena are known to result from the modification of gene expression due to environmental influence. The environment in the very early phases of life influences the child’s health. Recent evidence reinforces not only an environment rich in motor and global attention stimuli for the child, but, specifically, the continuous and early use of expressive language by parents with their children promote the achievement of better cognitive performance, especially in more vulnerable populations.1,2 The effect of nutritional quality on growth has been conceptually known for many years, but the influence of the intestinal environment on the brain and the mechanisms involving the new concept of neuronutrition are recent. The intrauterine environment, type of maternal diet, type of delivery, gestational age at birth, and the presence of breastfeeding modulate the intestinal microbiome and are determinants of health or disease.3--5