The Microbiome in a Baby's Gut does not Reflect the Microbiome in the Mother's Uterus


It has been widely held for a long time that giving birth vaginally is better for the baby's health than giving birth via caesarean section. For, it is thought that the newborn encounters microorganisms in the vaginal microbiome that shape the microbiota in its gut.

New research supports the idea that infant gut microbiota is profoundly influenced by their mode of delivery, with those born through caesarean section lacking essential microorganisms. This has been widely believed; however, a new study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology challenges this view.

There was no Correlation between Maternal Microbiota and Infant Faces

This study was among the largest ever conducted on mother-infant pairs. More than 600 Canadian mothers-to-be who planned to give birth naturally or via caesarean section were enrolled. Vaginal swabs were collected from the moms to analyze their vaginal microbiome before the baby was born. Babies had stool samples obtained within 72 hours of birth, 10 days after delivery, and again at 3 months of age.

The sample analysis showed no correlation between the mother's vaginal microbiome and the babies' stool microbiome at any of the three time points.

PhD candidate Scott Dos Santos from the University of Saskatchewan, who oversaw the lab work and data analysis, said, "This and subsequent research have shown that there is only a little amount of bacteria that can be passed from the mother to the newborn through the vagina.

"It has been hypothesized that the mother's breast milk and the surrounding environment may significantly impact the composition of the infant gut microbiota. To learn more about these possible connections, more research is required.

Birth Options: Vaginal vs. Caesarean

Maternal vaginal flora, including Lactobacillus and Prevotella species, colonizes infant gut microbiota after vaginal delivery. Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium, and Corynebacterium, the flora of the mother's skin, are the most common following a caesarean delivery. Kids born via caesarean section have fewer anaerobic organisms, such as Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, than kids born vaginally.

Even seven years after birth, the number of species in the guts of children born via caesarean section is smaller than that of children born vaginally. Variability in immune-microbiota interaction accounts for the observed disparities between neonates. Historically, women have resorted to vaginal seeding as a form of reparation, although this procedure is now often seen as unnecessary and even dangerous.

Bacteroides occur at various times, but the overall pattern is that aerobes like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterobacteriaceae appear first, followed by anaerobes like Eubacteria and Clostridium. More study is needed to fully portray the microbial makeup of the newborn gut, where the existence of Bifidobacteria has sparked debate.

A correlation exists between having a Caesarean and developing inflammatory bowel disease, type-1 diabetes, celiac disease, asthma, and obesity in children.

Antibiotics and the Microbiome: What Role Do They Play?

Stool microbiota composition was shown to be significantly different between kids born vaginally and those born via caesarean section at both 10 days and 3 months of age. "We found that antibiotic exposure at birth was a major factor in the differences we observed in the stool microbiome composition of newborns by mode of delivery," says Money, suggesting a link to antibiotic use. Although the effects of antibiotics on infant gut microbiota development have been studied, additional study is required.

More Study is Required to Get a Complete Picture of the Gut Microbiome

We must understand the real connection between the method of birth and infant gut microbiota since the gut microbiome is increasingly becoming recognized as a key player in the pathophysiology of a wide range of disorders.

Conclusion

Additional studies are required to comprehend the results of this one fully. The researchers cited the lack of maternal stool microbiome samples as a drawback. Possible insights from future research using this data are promising. In addition, more research is required to determine whether or not antibiotic use stunts infant gut microbiota development.

For More Information - Gut foundation


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