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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device

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Published on: August 30, 2016

The microbiome and development: a mother's perspective.

Amanda L Prince¹, Kathleen M Antony¹, Jun Ma¹

¹Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine

|January 7, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Maternal microbiome influences neonatal microbiome development. Pregnancy-induced changes and delivery mode significantly shape the infant

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Last Updated: May 4, 2026

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Human Microbiome Research
Neonatal Development

Background:

Microbiome dysbiosis is linked to diseases like type II diabetes, obesity, and colorectal cancer.
The Human Microbiome Project has defined a healthy microbiome, shifting focus to its establishment.
Maternal factors are increasingly recognized as crucial in shaping the initial microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore maternal influences on the establishment of the neonatal microbiome.
To examine how pregnancy-related microbiome changes and mode of delivery impact infant microbial colonization.
To discuss the microbiome's potential role in preterm birth and placental colonization.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on maternal microbiome transformations during pregnancy.
Analysis of studies investigating the impact of delivery mode on neonatal microbiome composition.
Exploration of research linking the microbiome to preterm birth and placental bacterial presence.

Main Results:

The maternal microbiome undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, influencing neonatal microbial seeding.
Mode of delivery (vaginal vs. Cesarean) demonstrably shapes the early-life microbiome.
Emerging evidence suggests a connection between the microbiome and preterm birth risk.

Conclusions:

Maternal microbiome dynamics during pregnancy are critical for establishing the neonatal microbiome.
Delivery mode is a key determinant of initial microbial colonization in newborns.
Further research is essential to understand the microbiome's role in infant metabolism, immunity, and pregnancy outcomes.