Acquisition of microbiota according to the type of birth: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to analyze scientific evidence regarding the relationship between the type of birth and the microbiota acquired by newborns. Method: this integrative review addresses the role of the type of delivery on newborns’ microbial colonization. A search was conducted in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online/PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases using the descriptors provided by Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Health Science Descriptors (DeCS). Results: infants born vaginally presented a greater concentration of Bacteroides, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus in the first days of life and more significant microbial variability in the following weeks. The microbiome of infants born via C-section is similar to the maternal skin and the hospital setting and less diverse, mainly composed of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Clostridium. Conclusion: the maternal vaginal microbiota provides newborns with a greater variety of colonizing microorganisms responsible for boosting and preparing the immune system. Vaginal birth is the ideal birth route, and C-sections should only be performed when there are medical indications.

Characteristics of gut microbiota of term small gestational age infants within 1 week and their relationship with neurodevelopment at 6 months

“…The development of neonatal gut microbiota is affected by several factors ( Bäckhed et al, 2015 ; Rutayisire et al, 2016 ; Kapourchali and Cresci, 2020 ; Vandenplas et al, 2020 ). Most early colonists in the gut of neonates are maternal, and the mode of delivery strongly affects the formation of the early gut microbiota in term infants ( Bäckhed et al, 2015 ; Rutayisire et al, 2016 ; Kapourchali and Cresci, 2020 ; Coelho et al, 2021 ). Studies have shown that vaginally-delivered neonates have more abundant Bacteroides , Bifidobacterium , and Lactobacillus ( Bäckhed et al, 2015 ; Rutayisire et al, 2016 ; Coelho et al, 2021 ), whereas neonates delivered by cesarean section (CS) are enriched in Staphylococcus , Streptococcus , and Clostridium ( Coelho et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Most early colonists in the gut of neonates are maternal, and the mode of delivery strongly affects the formation of the early gut microbiota in term infants ( Bäckhed et al, 2015 ; Rutayisire et al, 2016 ; Kapourchali and Cresci, 2020 ; Coelho et al, 2021 ). Studies have shown that vaginally-delivered neonates have more abundant Bacteroides , Bifidobacterium , and Lactobacillus ( Bäckhed et al, 2015 ; Rutayisire et al, 2016 ; Coelho et al, 2021 ), whereas neonates delivered by cesarean section (CS) are enriched in Staphylococcus , Streptococcus , and Clostridium ( Coelho et al, 2021 ). In our study, there was no difference in the alpha diversity of SGA neonates born by vaginal delivery and CS on days 1, 3, and 5, while the alpha diversity of SGA neonates delivered by CS showed a decreasing trend on day 7.…”

Cesarean childbirth: an institutional socio-clinical study of the professional practices and discourses

“…In Brazil, in the last 40 years, there has been a marked increase in the number of surgical deliveries associated with high rates of preterm childbirth and prematurity with iatrogenicity (3,8) .…”

“…Currently, in the world context, the debate about childbirth is marked by the effort to reduce the number of cesarean interventions and, at the same time, by the defense of the provision of qualified care to women ( 5 - 7 ) . In Brazil, in the last 40 years, there has been a marked increase in the number of surgical deliveries associated with high rates of preterm childbirth and prematurity with iatrogenicity ( 3 , 8 ) .…”

“…Brazil is among the countries in the world that performs a high number of unnecessary cesarean interventions ( 1 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 ) . France has low rates of cesarean operations; however, social and professional groups are concerned about the increase in interventions around the world, the so-called “active cesarean sections” and the growing trend of the so-called “cesarean sections on demand by women” ( 12 - 13 ) .…”