The Postpartum Maternal and Newborn Microbiomes

Abstract

Biological and environmental changes to maternal and newborn microbiomes in the postnatal period can affect health outcomes for the mother-baby dyad. Postpartum sleep deprivation and unmet dietary needs can alter commensal bacteria within the body and disrupt gut-brain communication. Perineal injury and breast infections also change microbial community composition, potentiating an environment favoring pathogen growth. The gut microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms working in a harmony. Disruptions within the gut microbiome and gut-brain communication may lead to postpartum depression, a potentially devastating sequela. Postnatal newborn changes to the gut and skin microbiome materialize quickly after delivery and are profoundly influenced by delivery mode, feeding method, and bathing and skin care practices. During the newborn period, infant microbiomes are highly vulnerable and susceptible to multiple influences. Maternal-newborn nurses have a valuable role in helping mothers and newborns promote healthy microbiomes. This paper will review factors that influence the rapidly changing postnatal microbiome of the mother and her newborn and identify the role nurses have to positively influence immediate and long-term health outcomes.

Host phylogeny and life history stage shape the gut microbiome in dwarf (Kogia sima) and pygmy (Kogia breviceps) sperm whales

“…Interestingly, the unrelated mother gut microbiomes were www.nature.com/scientificreports/ www.nature.com/scientificreports/ highly similar to one another in comparison to other K. breviceps adults. Kogiid mothers could experience shifts in microbiome composition and diversity throughout gestation and the postpartum period similar to those observed in humans [35][36][37] and other mammals 38 . In total, these observations suggest a postpartum disturbance of the gut microbiome in kogiid whales, and the rapid development of the calf gut microbiome after birth.…”

Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation in Children

“…Those born by caesarean section have a lower microbiota diversity and a lower Th1 response, so there is the possibility of developing allergic and inflammatory processes [26]. Variants of their Microbiota are usually found in the various stages of child development [27]. In the newborn, if there are postpartum sleep disturbances, dissatisfaction of dietary needs, and neurological disorders, commensal bacteria within the body can be disrupted and communication between the gut and brain can be disrupted [28].…”

Framing the discussion of microorganisms as a facet of social equity in human health

“…Cesarean delivery alters the infant gut microbiota and their metabolic profile [8,12], although there is not a consensus on the longevity of this effect, as the impact is modulated by other early life microbial exposures [7,12,14]. However, alterations to microbial colonization may drive immune disturbances in infants born by cesarean delivery, increasing risk for autoimmune disorders or asthma [13], and in the United States, both of these covary with minoritized racial/ethnic status and socioeconomic disadvantage [15,16].…”

“…Breastfeeding also associates with reduced abundance of bacteria with antibiotic resistance genes, and early termination of breastfeeding can stunt this protective effect [33]. Moreover, breastfeeding reduces postpartum depression in mothers, which may be mediated by gut microbiota [14,34].…”