The Role of Maternal Microbiota in Shaping Neonatal Immunity: Implications for Infectious Disease Prevention

Background: Maternal microbiota plays a pivotal role in shaping neonatal immune development, influencing susceptibility to infections and long-term health outcomes. This review delves into the intricate interactions between maternal microbiota and neonatal immunity, emphasizing microbial transfer mechanisms during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. It explores how maternal microbiota educates the neonatal immune system, fostering immune tolerance and protection against pathogens. Factors that disrupt maternal microbial composition, such as antibiotic use, maternal diet, and infections, are examined in relation to their detrimental effects on neonatal health. The review also discusses emerging strategies to optimize maternal microbiota for improved neonatal immunity, including probiotics, prebiotics, and targeted dietary interventions. Additionally, the broader implications of maternal microbiota research in preventing neonatal infectious diseases are explored, highlighting its significance in global health efforts. By understanding these complex maternal-neonatal microbial interactions, new therapeutic and preventive strategies can be developed to support early-life immune resilience. This review underscores the need for further research into maternal microbiota modulation as a promising avenue for enhancing neonatal health and reducing infection-related morbidity worldwide.