The dynamic communities of oral microbiome in neonates

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatal Health
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• The oral microbiome is dynamic throughout life and linked to oral and systemic diseases.
• Few studies have investigated neonatal oral microbiome characteristics and maternal influences.
• Maternal factors, including the microbiome, can significantly impact infant oral microbiome development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the oral microbiome in neonates during the first four days postpartum.
• To identify associated maternal factors influencing neonatal oral microbiome composition.
• To understand the early dynamics of the neonatal oral microbiome.

Main Methods:

• Collected microbiome samples from 15 mother-infant pairs across multiple body sites.
• Utilized high-throughput sequencing to analyze maternal and neonatal microbiomes.
• Tracked microbiome changes from birth up to 4 days postpartum.

Main Results:

• Neonatal oral microbiome composition changed significantly within the first four days.
• Maternal vaginal, skin, and environmental bacteria initially present in neonates decreased over time.
• Specific maternal skin and vaginal bacteria increased in the neonatal oral microbiome.
• Neonatal oral microbiome composition became more similar to maternal milk microbiome over time.
• Changes in neonatal predominant bacteria aligned with environmental exposure patterns.

Conclusions:

• The neonatal oral microbiome exhibits rapid dynamics in the early postpartum period.
• Maternal microbiomes and environmental exposures are critical determinants of neonatal oral microbiome development.
• Understanding these early dynamics is essential for potential interventions in oral and systemic health.