The Maternal-Infant Microbiome Continuum: From Pregnancy Programming to Lifelong Health
Authored by Mohammed Ibrahim Hajelbashir, Imran Mohammad, Abdulwahab Abuderman, Khalid Albasheer, Abdullah M. R. Arafah, Md. Rizwan Ansari, Mahjabeen Rahmani, Khalid Nasralla Hashim, Mohiuddin Khan Warsi, Nawal Helmi, and Mohammad Azhar Kamal
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- Preprints.org
Background: The maternal microbiome represents the first microbial environment for the developing infant, with emerging evidence linking maternal dysbiosis to adverse pregnancy outcomes and lifelong offspring health. Aims: This review synthesizes evidence on the maternal-infant microbial continuum, examining microbial dynamics during pregnancy, vertical transmission pathways, infant microbiome trajectories, and intervention strategies. Key Findings: Dynamic changes in maternal gut, vaginal, and oral microbiomes during pregnancy influence fetal development through mechanisms including hormonal modulation (e.g., Clostridium innocuum-mediated 17β-estradiol degradation), immune programming via short-chain fatty acids, and barrier integrity maintenance. Delivery mode exerts persistent effects, with Cesarean-section associated with higher allergy risk (OR=1.5-2.2), while probiotic supplementation may mitigate this risk (RR=0.6-0.8). Conclusion: The maternal-infant microbiome continuum represents a critical therapeutic target. Standardized longitudinal research and personalized intervention strategies are urgently needed to translate mechanistic insights into clinical practice.