Effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on the intestinal microbiota of the offspring

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly impacts maternal and neonatal health, yet its influence on the neonatal intestinal microbiota remains poorly characterized. This study investigated the effects of maternal GDM on offspring microbiota by analyzing meconium samples from newborns of GDM-affected mothers (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 16). Microbiome analysis revealed distinct composition alterations in the intestinal microbiota of GDM-exposed neonates. Significant differences in microbial abundance were observed between groups: at the phylum level, the GDM group exhibited a significant increase in Bacteroidetes but significant reductions in Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, opportunistic pathogens including Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were significantly enriched in the GDM group. These findings demonstrate that maternal GDM perturbs the initial colonization of the neonatal intestinal microbiota. Interventions targeting maternal glycemic control during gestation may mitigate offspring microbiota dysbiosis and its potential clinical implications.