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. 2024 Jan 15;25(2):1055.
doi: 10.3390/ijms25021055.

The Impact of Cesarean Section Delivery on Intestinal Microbiota: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Perspectives-A Systematic Review

Francesco Inchingolo  1 , Alessio Danilo Inchingolo  1 , Irene Palumbo  1 , Irma Trilli  1 , Mariafrancesca Guglielmo  1 , Antonio Mancini  1 , Andrea Palermo  2 , Angelo Michele Inchingolo  1 , Gianna Dipalma  1
Affiliations

The Impact of Cesarean Section Delivery on Intestinal Microbiota: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Perspectives-A Systematic Review

Francesco Inchingolo et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The relationship between cesarean section (CS) delivery and intestinal microbiota is increasingly studied. CS-born infants display distinct gut microbial compositions due to the absence of maternal birth canal microorganisms. These alterations potentially link to long-term health implications like immune-related disorders and allergies. This correlation underscores the intricate connection between birth mode and the establishment of diverse intestinal microbiota. A systematic literature review was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases by analyzing the articles and examining the intricate interactions between CS delivery and the infant's intestinal microbiota. The analysis, based on a wide-ranging selection of studies, elucidates the multifaceted dynamics involved in CS-associated shifts in the establishment of fetal microbiota. We also explore the potential ramifications of these microbial changes on neonatal health and development, providing a comprehensive overview for clinicians and researchers. By synthesizing current findings, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between delivery mode and early microbial colonization, paving the way for informed clinical decisions and future investigations in the field of perinatal medicine.

Keywords: Bacteroides; caesarean delivery; delivery mode; infant gut microbiota; infant oral microbiota; neonatal bacterial assemblages; transmission of maternal strains.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphic illustration of the purpose of this systematic review, differences between the infant microbiota in natural or cesarean delivery.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow diagram and database search indicators of the preferred search of the literature reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bias of the included studies using the Robins Tool [10,69,72,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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