Cross-sectional observational study protocol: missing microbes in infants born by caesarean section (MiMIC): antenatal antibiotics and mode of delivery

Introduction The intestinal microbiome in early life plays a major role in infant health and development. Factors like antibiotic exposure, breast/formula feeding and mode of delivery are known to affect the microbiome. The increasing occurrence of caesarean section (C-section) deliveries and antibiotic exposure warrants further insight into the potential missing microbes in those infants. The study objective is to study the effect of maternal antibiotic administration during pregnancy and/or C-section mode of delivery on the development of the infant's intestinal microbiome until the age of 2 years. Methods and analysis A single site, cross-sectional observational study of C-section and vaginally delivered infants being either exposed to maternal antibiotic treatment or not during the third trimester of pregnancy. Throughout the nine visits, stool, urine, saliva, hair, breast milk and vaginal swabs will be collected from either mother and/or infant for microbiome and metabolomic analysis. Ethics and dissemination The protocol was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Cork Teaching Hospitals. The trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The findings from this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, during scientific conferences, and directly to the study participants. Sequencing data will be deposited in public databases.

Automated summary

This study aims to investigate the impact of maternal antibiotic treatment during pregnancy and/or C-section delivery on the development of the infant's intestinal microbiome. Samples from both mothers and/or infants will be collected for microbiome and metabolomic analysis, and the study will continue until the age of 2 to assess the long-term effects of these factors.