Microbial transmission, colonisation and succession: from pregnancy to infancy

The microbiome has been proven to be associated with many diseases and has been used as a biomarker and target in disease prevention and intervention. Currently, the vital role of the microbiome in pregnant women and newborns is increasingly emphasised. In this review, we discuss the interplay of the microbiome and the corresponding immune mechanism between mothers and their offspring during the perinatal period. We aim to present a comprehensive picture of microbial transmission and potential immune imprinting before and after delivery. In addition, we discuss the possibility of in utero microbial colonisation during pregnancy, which has been highly debated in recent studies, and highlight the importance of the microbiome in infant development during the first 3 years of life. This holistic view of the role of the microbial interplay between mothers and infants will refine our current understanding of pregnancy complications as well as diseases in early life and will greatly facilitate the microbiome-based prenatal diagnosis and treatment of mother-infant-related diseases.

Automated summary

The microbiome is closely associated with many diseases, serving as a biomarker and target in disease prevention and intervention. The microbiome's crucial role in pregnant women and newborns is increasingly recognized. This review focuses on the interplay and immune mechanism between the maternal and offspring microbiome during the perinatal period, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of microbial transmission and potential immune imprinting. It discusses the debated topic of in utero microbial colonization during pregnancy and emphasizes the significance of the microbiome in infant development during the first 3 years of life. This holistic view will enhance our understanding of pregnancy complications and early-life diseases, facilitating microbiome-based prenatal diagnosis and treatment of mother-infant-related diseases.