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Alterations in Gut Microbiota of Infants Born to Mothers with Obesity

Zarina Meiirmanova1,2, Nurislam Mukhanbetzhanov1, Zharkyn Jarmukhanov1

  • 1Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave., Block S1, Astana Z05H0P9, Kazakhstan.

Biomedicines
|April 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity significantly alters infant gut microbiome development, impacting its composition and metabolic functions within the first six months. These changes in the infant gut microbiome may lead to long-term health issues.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Infant health
  • Maternal health

Background:

  • Maternal obesity poses significant risks to offspring health.
  • The infant gut microbiome's development is crucial for early life health.
  • Understanding the impact of maternal obesity on the infant gut microbiome is a critical research area.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of maternal obesity on the infant gut microbiome's taxonomic composition, metabolic pathways, and antibiotic resistance genes.
  • To analyze changes in the infant gut microbiome during the first six months of life in relation to maternal weight status.

Main Methods:

  • Shotgun metagenomic sequencing of infant stool samples from birth to six months.
  • Analysis of mother-infant pairs, categorized into maternally obese (BMI > 36) and normal weight groups.
  • Utilized MetaPhlAn 4 for taxonomic profiling, HUMAnN 3 for metabolic pathways, and CARD/ABRicate for antibiotic resistance genes.

Main Results:

  • Infants of obese mothers exhibited reduced gut microbial alpha diversity in the first month and an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio by three months.
  • Metabolic profiling indicated enhanced carbohydrate breakdown in normal weight infants and increased lipid biosynthesis pathways in infants of obese mothers.
  • Significant correlations were found between specific bacterial orders (Lactobacillales, Firmicutes) and metabolic pathways/antibiotic resistance genes.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal obesity significantly alters the developmental trajectory of the infant gut microbiome.
  • These alterations affect both microbial composition and metabolic potential, with potential long-term health implications for the offspring.
  • The identified changes highlight potential targets for therapeutic interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of maternal obesity on infant health.

Keywords:
antibiotic resistance genesearly-life microbiotainfant gut microbiomeinfant healthmaternal obesityshotgun metagenomics

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