Maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy and umbilical cord blood leptin levels
We aimed to evaluate the associations among maternal gut microbiota, leptin levels in umbilical cord blood, and children's body mass index at 3 years of age. We collected stool samples from 66 pregnant women enrolled in the Chiba study of Mother and Child Health (C-MACH) during early and/or late pregnancy. C-MACH is a birth cohort study participated by 433 pregnant women. We obtained information from self-reported questionnaires and medical records. Gut microbiota was assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Newborn cord blood leptin levels were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.