Presence Of Microbiota In The Infant Gut Appears To Mediate The Link Between Maternal And Child Overweight Status, Particularly In Cesarean-Delivered Babies

“Babies born to overweight or obese mothers, either vaginally or via cesarean section, are more likely to become overweight or obese than those born vaginally to normal-weight mothers,” researchers found. And, “in addition to mode of birth, the presence of microbiota in the infant gut appears to mediate the link between maternal and child overweight status, particularly in cesarean-delivered babies,” the study revealed. The findings were published online in JAMA Pediatrics. The authors of an accompanying editorial observed, “The current study adds important information supporting the interdependency of maternal weight status and mode of delivery in forming the ‘microbial communities of early life,’ which are linked to offspring weight status.” https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2672735