REVIEW ARTICLE
The impact of Caesarean section on the infant gut microbiome
Delphine M. Hoang,
Elvira I. Levy,
Yvan Vandenplas,
Delphine M. Hoang
KidZ Health Castle, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorElvira I. Levy
KidZ Health Castle, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yvan Vandenplas
KidZ Health Castle, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Correspondence
Yvan Vandenplas. KidZ Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDelphine M. Hoang,
Elvira I. Levy,
Yvan Vandenplas,
Delphine M. Hoang
KidZ Health Castle, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorElvira I. Levy
KidZ Health Castle, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yvan Vandenplas
KidZ Health Castle, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Correspondence
Yvan Vandenplas. KidZ Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Aim
Description of the impact of caesarean section on the infant gut microbiome, infant health and solutions to restore the dysbiosis.
Methods
We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles. Only articles published in English were selected. Separate searches were performed for each topic. We selected 60 articles published between 1999 and 2019 by extracting subject headings and key words of interest for this topic.
Results
Caesarean section is an obstetrical procedure that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. On top of the maternal and neonatal risks that this procedure carries, it also induces a dysbiosis of the infant intestinal microbiome possibly challenging the health outcome for the infant. Antibiotics administered during Caesarean deliveries contribute to the development of the gut microbiome. Nonetheless, breastfeeding and several interventions such as vaginal seeding and supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics may contribute to the restoration of the dysbiosis.
Conclusion
Caesarean section is associated with the development of an imbalance of the infant gut microbiome. Long-term consequences of this imbalance are debated. Besides breastfeeding, other strategies to restore this dysbiosis need further studies before they can be recommended.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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