Prenatal and postnatal administration of prebiotics and probiotics

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatal Health
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Neonatal gut microbiome colonization by beneficial bacteria is vital for mucosal barrier integrity.
• Maternal and neonatal microbiomes are influenced by diet, environment, and maternal factors.
• Pregnancy dysbiosis is linked to adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including pre-eclampsia and childhood atopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the neonatal gut microbiome in infant health and disease.
• To explore the impact of maternal and neonatal dysbiosis on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
• To evaluate the safety and feasibility of enteral prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in modulating the microbiome.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on neonatal gut microbiome development and dysbiosis.
• Analysis of factors influencing maternal and neonatal microbiome composition.
• Examination of studies on the administration of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics during pregnancy and infancy.

Main Results:

• Neonatal gut dysbiosis is associated with infant conditions like colic, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis.
• Maternal dysbiosis during pregnancy increases risks for various complications.
• Enteral administration of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics shows promise for microbiome modulation.

Conclusions:

• Establishing a healthy neonatal microbiome is critical for preventing disease and promoting long-term health.
• Interventions targeting the maternal and neonatal microbiome may offer a safe and effective strategy to improve pregnancy and infant outcomes.
• Further research into microbiome modulation holds potential for enhancing neonatal care.