Comparison of postnatal intestinal colonization of neonates undergoing vaginal seeding with neonates born with elective cesarean section

Purpose The aim of this study is to research postnatal colonization of intestine after vaginal seeding in neonates born with elective caesarean section (CS).

Materials and methods In Democritus University of Thrace from 2019 to 2021 vaginal swab specimens were collected from 100 pregnant women and tested for pathogens one week before their elective CS.

Pregnant women that underwent elective CS after 37th week of gestation the method of vaginal seeding were applied by putting a sterile gauze into their vagina 20 minutes before their CS and the gauze applied to the neonate’s face, mouth and skin. After 5 days we tested neonatal feces for microbes and compared fecal cultures of neonates born with CS were the method of vaginal seeding were not applied.

Results After their consent 35 pregnant women that underwent CS, the method of vaginal seeding were applied. 55 neonates that used as reference control group also tested with fecal cultures after 5 days from their birth. As observed from the results of our cultures gut of 10 neonates where the method of vaginal seeding were applied their gut were colonized with lactobacillus species and bacteroides, in contrast with our reference group were colonization of these microbes were limited.

Conclusion Nonetheless, the theory of vaginal seeding aim to alter the microbiome of the neonates born with CS is very encouraging for development of gut microbiome but there is a need for further investigation due to neonatal risk and also to prove its efficacy.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 October 2022