Aberrant immune activation, the main cause of prematurity and stillbirths, could be preventable through interventions such as maternal vaccination. 

Swabbing infants born by Cesarean-section with a gauze harboring their mother’s vaginal fluids made their skin and gut microbiota more closely resemble that of vaginally born babies.

The authors of a new study find no evidence for bacteria in the placenta, but others in the field question their interpretation of the data.

Federal agents searched the offices of the personal microbiome testing company in San Francisco on April 26 following allegations of improperly billing health insurers.

Scientists are beginning to unravel the ways in which we develop a healthy relationship with the bugs in our bodies.

A new study identifies microorganisms residing in the human fallopian tubes and uterus, but some researchers are skeptical of the findings. 

Hundreds of samples from microbes living in the gut, skin, mouth, and vagina add to the human microbiome “fingerprint.” 

A group of Danish obstetricians notes that the procedure carries risks and that there is little evidence supporting its benefits to the infant microbiome. 

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. 

A new literature review finds that even if babies born via Cesarean section have long-term health risks, as a number of past studies purport, it may not be a result of the procedure itself.

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 study in mice suggests stress during pregnancy can affect offspring's microbiota and brain metabolism.

Circumcision and sexual activity are but two factors that can influence the bacterial communities that inhabit male genitalia.

The overly simplistic notion of a Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiome is giving way to an appreciation of diverse and dynamic bacterial communities.