The process of natural birth provides a newborn with crucial microbes that are believed to contribute to their health in the long run. However, infants born via cesarean section (C-section) are deprived of these beneficial, gut-settling bacteria, which could potentially increase their susceptibility to certain health problems and developmental disorders.
A team of researchers at Southern Medical University propose that introducing these missed microbes to C-section newborns through a process known as vaginal seeding could help compensate for the loss of gut bacteria. Their preliminary findings suggest that the technique could potentially support early development.
Infants born through C-section and subsequently exposed to their mother's vaginal microbes exhibited enhanced motor and communication skills compared to their C-section peers. However, these advantages are yet to be definitively established, and the safety of the process is still under scrutiny.
Mehreen Zaigham, an independent obstetrician from Lund University, comments that the study indicates a potential benefit for a specific group of infants and mothers, but insists that further extensive longitudinal studies are required for validation.
C-section babies have distinct microbiomes compared to those born naturally, particularly due to lower quantities of Lactobacillus, Escherichia, and Bacteroides bacteria. These microbes are considered essential for growth and are theorized to shield against conditions such as asthma, allergies, obesity, and autoimmune disorders—ailments more prevalent in C-section babies. Controversial research has also hinted at an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder for C-section babies due to their altered microbiome, a claim that many researchers strongly refute.
The approach to replenish the microbiomes of C-section infants involves exposing them to their mother's vaginal bacteria shortly after birth. This concept, termed vaginal seeding, was clinically trialed seven years ago by a small group of just 11 babies and showed promising results.
In a recent study, the technique was tested on a larger group of 68 C-section infants. Post-delivery, each infant was swabbed with a gauze soaked either in saline or the mother's vaginal fluid. Infants exposed to their mother's vaginal microbes displayed increased gut bacteria levels, especially Lactobacillus. Their microbiomes closely resembled those of infants delivered naturally, contrasting with the other C-section babies who were swabbed with saline-soaked gauze.
By the time the infants were 3 and 6 months old, parents reported through questionnaires that those who underwent vaginal seeding demonstrated slightly advanced motor and communication skills compared to the rest.
However, some experts like Wayne Cutfield, a pediatric endocrinologist from the University of Auckland, and Deborah Money, a researcher from the University of British Columbia, raise concerns over the method's use for developmental evaluation. They argue that the study's sample size is too small to draw definitive conclusions and that other factors such as breastfeeding have a greater influence on an infant's gut microbiome than the delivery method.
There are also concerns about the potential transmission of infections to the infant through vaginal seeding. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists currently does not endorse the practice outside clinical trials.
More research is needed to identify the specific combination of bacteria crucial for a baby's early development, says Jose Clemente, a geneticist involved in the study. This would allow doctors to expose newborns to this specific mix rather than a broader, untargeted microbial exposure.