A new study uses blood samples from pregnant women to track changes in the immune system leading up to birth, and predicts gestational age from the mothers’ immune signatures.

Study of 81 six-week-olds who were born by C-section or vaginal delivery didn’t show differences in the structure or function of their microbiota, despite contrary results from other studies on babies. 

Analyzing the gut microbiomes of children from birth through toddlerhood, researchers tie compositional changes to birth mode, infant diet, and antibiotic therapy.

Boston-based Commense plans to develop microbial and nonmicrobial interventions aimed at improving child health.

On “vaginal seeding” and the challenge of evidence-based parenting

A small pilot study suggests exposure to maternal vaginal fluids could restore infant microbiota following Cesarean-section delivery.

Gut microbial communities from breastfed babies are slow to resemble adults’ microbiota.

A review study indicates that clamping umbilical cords immediately after birth, rather than waiting a few minutes, may increase the risk of iron and hemoglobin deficiency in infants.