“Vaginal seeding” of infants born by caesarean section

The microbiota is the community of microbes that colonises our bodies, outnumbering our own cells 10 to 1.1 This complex microbial community varies from one part of the body to another, and from one person to another. Characteristic differences in the microbiota are associated with various diseases.2 As a result interest has surged in the potential for manipulating the microbiota to promote health and treat disease.2

The term “vaginal seeding” describes the use of a gauze swab to transfer maternal vaginal fluid, and hence vaginal microbiota, on to an infant born by caesarean section.3 4 The composition of the early microbiota of infants is heavily influenced by mode of delivery.4 In infants born by caesarean section the microbiota resembles that of maternal skin, whereas in vaginally born infants it resembles that of the maternal vagina.4 5

These early differences in the microbiota have been suggested to determine susceptibility to …