Previous clinical studies have shown that cesarean sections increase the baby's risk of developing asthma, hospital-acquired infections, gastrointestinal inflammation, and a number of other diseases associated with impaired immune function. The risks are thought to be increased by the lack of contact with the mother's bacteria as the baby passes through the birth canal.
Today, it is known that a child after a caesarean section is treated with the mother's vaginal bacteria, but the results of a new study demonstrate the low efficiency of such a procedure. A significant effect is achieved with the help of the mother's fecal microbiota, which is introduced to the child from the first day of life, writes Nature.
Ninety women applied to participate in the experiment, but only 36 were selected due to the absence of pathogens in the samples. Their newborn babies were either assigned to a placebo group or to a transplant group of 3.5 mg of maternal feces from the first day of life.
At birth, all caesarean section babies had similar microbial biodiversity, but after treatment, the second group showed a noticeable difference from the second day of life. The positive changes persisted until six months, when babies usually begin to try solid foods.
Notably, the findings support an earlier small study in which a microbiota transplant helped C-section babies acquire a microbiota similar to that of non-C-section babies. In the current study, the researchers showed that the new approach was more effective than exposing babies to the mother's vaginal bacteria.
Scientists are currently studying the possibilities of using samples of bacteria produced in laboratory conditions. First of all, they will be guaranteed to be protected from the presence of pathogens. In addition, scientists will be able to control the number of certain strains to ensure the best therapeutic effect.
Previously, other scientists found that an imbalance of intestinal bacteria in children due to taking antibiotics in the first days of life increases the risk of psychoemotional instability: they exhibit more aggressive behavior due to increased activation of certain genes.