Katharina Buczek
Similarly, of the sixty-six babies who were vaccinated against meningitis, those who were delivered naturally had antibody levels over one and a half times greater than children born via C-section.
It has long been known that the gut microbiome develops rapidly throughout the first few months of life. Its development is also strongly linked to delivery mode, nursing, and antibiotic usage.
Through this study, though, the researchers have uncovered one more critical relationship– the link between gut microbes and antibody levels in babies. In turn, the team concluded that an infant’s early life microbiome would contribute to their immune system response and set the tone for protection against infection later in adulthood.
But, since many expectant mothers do not get to pick their delivery mode, the scientists advise adjusting vaccination schedules based on how a child is born and after an analysis of the child’s microbiome has been completed. On top of that, the team is also using their findings to point toward a potential new way to boost vaccine response.
“I think it is especially interesting that we identified several beneficial microbes to be the link between mode of delivery and vaccine responses,” explained Dr. Emma de Koff, the study’s first author.
“In the future, we may be able to supplement those bacteria to children born by C-section shortly after birth through, for example, mother-to-baby ‘fecal transplants’ or the use of specifically designed probiotics.”
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in Nature Communications, visit the link here.
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