In recent years, there has been increased interest regarding how different means of childbirth might affect everything from infant brain development to immune system strength and respiratory risk.
Although, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh has taken a different approach to this same question.
More specifically, they analyzed how different baby delivery methods impact infant vaccine responses.
A cohort of one hundred and twenty babies– who were vaccinated at both eight and twelve weeks against lung infections and meningitis, respectively– participated in the study.
The goal was to analyze and compare the relationship between the gut microbiome and antibody levels following vaccination.
So, the team first tracked how each child’s gut microbiome developed throughout the first year of life.
Additionally, the children’s immune responses to the vaccines were tested and tracked via saliva samples taken at twelve and eighteen months.
And interestingly, the researchers found that babies who were delivered naturally had double the amount of antibodies protecting against lung infections as compared with the children born via caesarian section (C-section).
Nursing was also found to be more beneficial– with the children who nursed possessing antibody levels three and a half times higher than the children who were formula-fed.
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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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