Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review

<i>Background</i>: The maternal microbiota serve as a key regulator of neonatal immune development and early-life health outcomes. This systematic review aims to find out how the makeup of the maternal microbiota affects newborn immunity and the risk of allergies, identify which microbes...

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Main Authors: Ayah Nabil Al Jehani, Manal Shuaib, Arwa Alsharif, Khlood Abdulaziz Alsubaie, Ayda Khraisat, Abdulaziz Alsharif, Manaf Altaf, Ruba H. Almasry, Amal Mohamed Kayali, Shouq Abdin Abdallah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Pediatric Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/17/3/67
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author Ayah Nabil Al Jehani
Manal Shuaib
Arwa Alsharif
Khlood Abdulaziz Alsubaie
Ayda Khraisat
Abdulaziz Alsharif
Manaf Altaf
Ruba H. Almasry
Amal Mohamed Kayali
Shouq Abdin Abdallah
author_facet Ayah Nabil Al Jehani
Manal Shuaib
Arwa Alsharif
Khlood Abdulaziz Alsubaie
Ayda Khraisat
Abdulaziz Alsharif
Manaf Altaf
Ruba H. Almasry
Amal Mohamed Kayali
Shouq Abdin Abdallah
author_sort Ayah Nabil Al Jehani
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background</i>: The maternal microbiota serve as a key regulator of neonatal immune development and early-life health outcomes. This systematic review aims to find out how the makeup of the maternal microbiota affects newborn immunity and the risk of allergies, identify which microbes are linked to a higher or lower chance of allergies, and assess treatments that could improve newborn immune health. <i>Methods</i>: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and observational studies that looked at how the makeup of the maternal microbiota affects newborn immune responses or allergic outcomes in early life. We conducted a systematic search, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using the GRADE system and tools to check for bias (RoB 2, Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, MINORS). <i>Results</i>: We included a total of 74 studies. The main findings showed that having a cesarean delivery and using certain antibiotics during pregnancy increased the risk of allergies, while breastfeeding, taking probiotics, and changing the mother’s diet helped to protect against allergies. Maternal stress had a negative association with the microbiota composition (OR = 1.9–2.4) and neonatal immune regulation. Moreover, the study noted significant geographic variation in the microbiota’s influence, underscoring the importance of contextualized interventions. <i>Conclusions</i>: The composition of the maternal microbiota has a major impact on neonatal immunity and the risk of early-life allergy. Adverse factors include cesarean birth, antibiotic exposure, and maternal stress, all of which have been associated with alterations in neonatal immunity. More studies are required to validate promising microbiota-targeted strategies and develop evidence-based guidelines to improve maternal and neonatal immune health.
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spelling doaj-art-b3f5cc30fff044919e32c417dfa8c8372025-08-20T03:16:24ZengMDPI AGPediatric Reports2036-75032025-06-011736710.3390/pediatric17030067Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic ReviewAyah Nabil Al Jehani0Manal Shuaib1Arwa Alsharif2Khlood Abdulaziz Alsubaie3Ayda Khraisat4Abdulaziz Alsharif5Manaf Altaf6Ruba H. Almasry7Amal Mohamed Kayali8Shouq Abdin Abdallah9College of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Vision College, Jeddah 23643, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Vision College, Jeddah 23643, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi ArabiaObsetetrics and Gynecology Department, Aya Specialist Hospital, Jeddah 23625, Saudi Arabia<i>Background</i>: The maternal microbiota serve as a key regulator of neonatal immune development and early-life health outcomes. This systematic review aims to find out how the makeup of the maternal microbiota affects newborn immunity and the risk of allergies, identify which microbes are linked to a higher or lower chance of allergies, and assess treatments that could improve newborn immune health. <i>Methods</i>: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and observational studies that looked at how the makeup of the maternal microbiota affects newborn immune responses or allergic outcomes in early life. We conducted a systematic search, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using the GRADE system and tools to check for bias (RoB 2, Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, MINORS). <i>Results</i>: We included a total of 74 studies. The main findings showed that having a cesarean delivery and using certain antibiotics during pregnancy increased the risk of allergies, while breastfeeding, taking probiotics, and changing the mother’s diet helped to protect against allergies. Maternal stress had a negative association with the microbiota composition (OR = 1.9–2.4) and neonatal immune regulation. Moreover, the study noted significant geographic variation in the microbiota’s influence, underscoring the importance of contextualized interventions. <i>Conclusions</i>: The composition of the maternal microbiota has a major impact on neonatal immunity and the risk of early-life allergy. Adverse factors include cesarean birth, antibiotic exposure, and maternal stress, all of which have been associated with alterations in neonatal immunity. More studies are required to validate promising microbiota-targeted strategies and develop evidence-based guidelines to improve maternal and neonatal immune health.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/17/3/67maternal microbiotaneonatal immunityallergy riskcesarean deliveryprobioticsbreastfeeding
spellingShingle Ayah Nabil Al Jehani
Manal Shuaib
Arwa Alsharif
Khlood Abdulaziz Alsubaie
Ayda Khraisat
Abdulaziz Alsharif
Manaf Altaf
Ruba H. Almasry
Amal Mohamed Kayali
Shouq Abdin Abdallah
Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review
Pediatric Reports
maternal microbiota
neonatal immunity
allergy risk
cesarean delivery
probiotics
breastfeeding
title Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review
title_full Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review
title_short Impact of Maternal Microbiota Composition on Neonatal Immunity and Early Childhood Allergies: A Systematic Review
title_sort impact of maternal microbiota composition on neonatal immunity and early childhood allergies a systematic review
topic maternal microbiota
neonatal immunity
allergy risk
cesarean delivery
probiotics
breastfeeding
url https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/17/3/67
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