The Human Microbiome before Birth.
The conservation of the microbiota within humans and other hominids suggests an ancient assembly that has been selected to optimize host fitness. Pregnancy induces changes in the maternal microbiome just before the intergenerational hand-off of the microbiota. Interventions, including peri-partum antibiotics and Cesarean sections, may have unintended effects on babies.
Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Microbiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address: Martin.Blaser@nyumc.org.
Martin J
MJ
Blaser
Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Maria G
MG
Dominguez-Bello
D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota; D011247:Pregnancy