Microbiomes in Pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Microbiomes in Pregnancy
IRAS ID
181619
Contact name
Kypros Nicolaides
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Pregnancy is associated with immunological and physiological changes designed to facilitate the growth of the fetus, this includes alteration in microbiomes in the vagina and the gastrointestinal tract in pregnant women. The increase in vaginal secretions and concomitant fall in vaginal pH during pregnancy result in different composition and stability of the vaginal microbiome.
It has been postulated that a greater diversity of vaginal (lactobacillus spp), faecal (clostridium and bacteroides spp), oral and/or intestinal microbiomes has been associated with maternal complications like spontaneous preterm delivery and obesity in pregnancy.
Moreover, the conventional thinking that the fetus exists in a sterile environment has been challenged by studies which demonstrated the existence of metabolically rich placental microbiome, similar to that of human oral cavity. These non-pathogenic commensal organisms in the placenta can be found in both complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies, suggesting that preterm delivery is not solely due to ascending infection from the vagina.
During pregnancy the fetus swallows amniotic fluid only, upon feeding, the newborn infant adapts quickly to adjust to nutrient and microorganism colonisation. Contrary to brestfed infants who have a microbiome consisting predominantly of Bifidobacterium spp, formula fed infants have a microbiome that are more diversely colonised. Infants that are born prematurely or by caesarean section also have a disrupted colonisation, which may explain the associated increased risk of conditions such as asthma and Coeliac disease. This further suggests that neonatal microbiome has a significant role in neonatal health.
This pilot study aims to explore the maternal/neonatal microbiome diversity, with the goal of achieving an understanding of its relationship and correlation with maternal and fetal wellbeing.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1780
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion