Fig. 3 ∣. The effect of maternal environmental enteric dysfunction on child development: potential mechanisms and consequences.

Mothers with environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) might harbour altered immune cells and signals, epigenetic modifications, nutrition and microbiota during pregnancy³⁶. These signals could influence development in utero and thereafter be passed on to infants. In early life, infant growth is shaped by breast milk, the gut microbiota, infection and nutrition. These factors are likely to be interrelated and act in concert to shape attained height, metabolism, immunity and cognition at adulthood. Dotted arrows indicate areas requiring additional investigation, whereas solid arrows indicate more established connections. Anti-LPS IgG, anti-lipopolysaccharide immunoglobulin G.