Effect of Delivery Mode and Nutrition on Gut Microbiota in Neonates

Abstract

Background/Aims: The mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) and feeding type (breastfeeding or formula feeding) of neonates are considered the most influential factors in the development of gut microbiota. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of prebiotic-rich breast milk on overcoming gut microbiota dysbiosis. Method: Stool samples from 36 healthy Japanese neonates were obtained at 4 days and 1 month of age, and divided into 4 groups based on mode of delivery and feeding type. The gut microbiota composition and bacterial diversity were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: At 4 days old, vaginally delivered neonates had a significantly higher diversity of bacteria than those born by cesarean section. Bacteroidales and Enterobacteriales were overrepresented in vaginally delivered neonates (p = 0.0031 and p = 0.011), while Bacillales and Lactobacillales were overrepresented in caesarean section delivered neonates (p = 0.012 and p = 0.0016). However, there was little difference in bacterial diversity and bacterial relative abundance at 1 month of age between groups. Conclusions: Cesarean section delivery appeared to reduce the diversity of neonate gut microbiota, resulting in dysbiosis, but this improved to the equivalent level seen in vaginally delivered infants by 1 month of age. Breastfeeding, even for short periods, may therefore improve neonate gut dysbiosis.

Pediatrics Consequences of Caesarean Section—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Numerous authors emphasized both quantitative and qualitative differences in the intestinal microflora depending on the mode of delivery completion. It was reported that the meconium of neonates delivered by cesarean section included reduced amounts of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides and Prevotella bacteria, while the dominant ones included iatrogenic bacterial species or ones which colonized the skin, i.e., Staphylococcus [34], Streptococcus [48], Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Clostridium [49]. Bifidobacterium species, responsible for the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), undergo a relatively rapid elimination from the digestive tract of neonates delivered by cesarean section [34].…”

Gut Microbiota, Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases: Proceedings of a Joint Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology (Sbh), Brazilian Nucleus for the Study of Helicobacter Pylori and Microbiota (Nbehpm), and Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology (Fbg)

“…In addition, the stress of labor itself is considered of utmost importance for this initial colonization to occur in a healthy way. Children born through caesarean section, especially scheduled deliveries without rupture of the amniotic sac and without labor, tend to have a greater chance of developing allergic, autoimmune, degenerative, and metabolic diseases, both intestinal and extraintestinal, including obesity and cognitive disorders such as autism and depression (1)(2)(3)(4) .…”

“…They modify the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal cells, and participate in the formation of our central nervous system. There is convincing evidence that breastfeeding and vaginal delivery have a protective effect against viral and bacterial infections and prevent the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases (2,(5)(6)(7)(8) .…”

Amine variations in faecal content in the first weeks of life of newborns in relation to breast-feeding or infant formulas

“…The determination of polyamines and primary amines in the meconium of newborns revealed that at birth no differences were observed in the content of amines between the two feeding groups. This appears to demonstrate their homogeneity, which was taken into consideration when choosing term pregnancies by giving natural birth, which may affect newborns' microbiota (53,71) . The average age and number of deliveries of the mothers and the sex of the newborns were also similar.…”