Maternal Vertical Microbial Transmission During Skin-to-Skin Care.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatal Medicine
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Skin-to-skin (STS) care is recognized for its benefits to preterm infants.
• STS care may facilitate mother-to-infant vertical microbial transmission.
• Enrichment of the preterm infant's microbiome is a potential outcome of STS care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of increased duration of skin-to-skin (STS) care on vertical microbial transmission.
• To determine how STS care modulates the oral and intestinal microbial balance in preterm infants.
• To define the relationship between STS exposure and microbial community composition.

Main Methods:

• Observational study involving postpartum women and preterm infants (31-34 weeks' gestation).
• 16S rRNA sequencing used to analyze microbial communities from maternal skin, infant oral cavity, and infant stool.
• Comparison of microbial diversity (α- and β-diversity) and relative abundance between low (<40 min) and high (>60 min) STS exposure groups.

Main Results:

• Microbial composition, diversity, and abundance differed significantly across maternal skin, infant oral, and infant stool samples.
• Preterm infants with high STS exposure showed reduced oral microbial richness but increased stool richness.
• Significant differences in oral and intestinal microbial diversity and composition were observed, with specific genera (Gemella, Aggregatibacter) and a family (Lachnospiraceae) more abundant in the stool of the high STS group.

Conclusions:

• Skin-to-skin (STS) care appears to be an effective strategy for enhancing microbial communities in preterm infants.
• Increased STS care duration influences vertical microbial transmission and the development of the infant microbiome.
• Findings support the use of STS care to promote a more robust microbiome in vulnerable preterm populations.