Maternal antibiotic prophylaxis during cesarean section has a limited impact on the infant gut microbiome
Pregnant women undergoing a cesarean section (CS) typically receive antibiotics prior to skin incision to prevent infections. To investigate if the timing of antibiotics influences the infant gut microbiome, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (NCT06030713) in women delivering via a scheduled CS who received antibiotics either before skin incision or after umbilical cord clamping. We performed a longitudinal analysis on 172 samples from 28 infants at 8 post-birth time points and a cross-sectional analysis at 1 month in 79 infants from 3 cohorts. Although no significant associations with bacterial composition, metabolic pathways, short-chain fatty acids, and bile acids were found, we observed subtle differences between the groups at the bacterial strain level and in the load of antibiotic resistance genes. Rather, feeding mode was a predominant and defining factor impacting infant microbial composition. In conclusion, antibiotic administration during CS has only limited effects on the early-life gut microbiome.
Authors
- Asier Fernández-Pato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6361-290X)
- Sicco A. Scherjon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6902-1235)
- Tim de Meij
- Marjon A. de Boer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9386-649X)
- Alexander Kurilshikov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2541-5627)
- Marloes Kruk
- Trishla Sinha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0992-7983)
- Thomas H. Dierikx (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0790-0987)
- Alexandra Zhernakova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4574-0841)
- Jelmer R. Prins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3984-2163)
- Jan Freark de Boer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6759-3291)
Institutions
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- University of Groningen (NL)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Emma Kinderziekenhuis (NL)
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Host & Microbe
- Published
- 2024-08-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2024.07.010
- Citations
- 15
- Primary Topic
- Urinary Tract Infections Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.80
Funders
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- Center for Information Technology