Effect of Delivery Mode and Nutrition on Gut Microbiota in Neonates

Abstract

Background/aims: The mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) and feeding type (breastfeeding or formula feeding) of neonates are considered the most influential factors in the development of gut microbiota.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of prebiotic-rich breast milk on overcoming gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Method: Stool samples from 36 healthy Japanese neonates were obtained at 4 days and 1 month of age, and divided into 4 groups based on mode of delivery and feeding type. The gut microbiota composition and bacterial diversity were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results: At 4 days old, vaginally delivered neonates had a significantly higher diversity of bacteria than those born by cesarean section. Bacteroidales and Enterobacteriales were overrepresented in vaginally delivered neonates (p = 0.0031 and p = 0.011), while Bacillales and Lactobacillales were overrepresented in caesarean section delivered neonates (p = 0.012 and p = 0.0016). However, there was little difference in bacterial diversity and bacterial relative abundance at 1 month of age between groups.

Conclusions: Cesarean section delivery appeared to reduce the diversity of neonate gut microbiota, resulting in dysbiosis, but this improved to the equivalent level seen in vaginally delivered infants by 1 month of age. Breastfeeding, even for short periods, may therefore improve neonate gut dysbiosis.

Keywords: 16S rRNA gene sequencing; Diversity; Dysbiosis; Gut microbiota; Mode of delivery.