Delivery Mode and Antibiotic Exposure on Gut Microbiomes

This study examined how delivery mode and antibiotic use during labor affect the gut microbiome of mothers and infants at six weeks postpartum. Analyzing stool samples from 25 mother-infant pairs, researchers found that infants born by caesarean section showed significant changes in gut microbiome composition, including reduced Bacteroidetes and altered diversity, while antibiotic exposure had minimal impact. In mothers, both caesarean delivery and antibiotic use slightly decreased microbial evenness but did not significantly change overall diversity. The findings suggest delivery mode has a stronger influence on the infant gut microbiome than intrapartum antibiotics, while both factors modestly affect the maternal microbiome. Full publication found here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11316550/

Collaborators: Mater Research University and The University of Queensland