Can maternal-child microbial seeding interventions improve the health of infants delivered by Cesarean section?

Abstract

Maternal-child microbial seeding interventions expose Cesarean-section (C-section)-delivered infants to the maternal microbiome they bypass during Cesarean delivery. It is theorized such interventions restore the microbiome and normalize immune development to reduce the occurrence of C-section-associated inflammatory conditions. Here we discuss the rationale, evidence, and controversies surrounding such interventions.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests S.K.H. declares no competing interests. M.G.D.B. has intellectual property on NYU patent US Patent 10357521. N.T.M. is on the scientific advisory board of Tiny Health Inc.

Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1.

Schematic of rationale for maternal-child microbial seeding interventions