List and describe potential factors that the mother or the infant could be exposed to that could influence the colonization of the microbial community in the newborn infant (in positive or negative ways).
- Immunological changes mother goes through may impact immune system development of the child and alter the types of microbes that will be able to colonize
- Mode of delivery — vaginal birth where infants initial microbial communities reflect mother’s vaginal community and C-section where infants’ initial microbial communities reflect mother’s skin community
- Pre-pregnancy BMI — correlated to neonatal gut microbiota composition in vaginally delivery
- Maternal weight — major influencing factor in shaping milk bacterial composition
- Maternal antibiotic treatment during pregnancy or lactation — may reduce antiviral immune responses in infants
- Prebiotic treatment during pregnancy and lactation — may alter infant cecal microbiome as well as prevent adiposity
- Bacterial infections — may be correlated with pregnancy complications
- Maternal bacteria may be able to enter the GI tract of the fetus
- Mode of feeding (breastmilk vs. formula then solid foods) — food composition and nutrients provided for microbes
All potential factors, except for bacterial infections, may provide both positive and negative consequences.
