Neonatal Med.  2023 Nov;30(4):96-101. 10.5385/nm.2023.30.4.96.

Does Neonatal Microbiome Research Encompass the Placental Transfer Pathway?

• Choi YS

• KMID: 2548299
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5385/nm.2023.30.4.96

Abstract

The word “microbiome” is a combination of “microbiota” and “genome,” which represents the genomic concept of microbiota. The bacterial culture method is the mainstay of identifying microbes, while polymerase chain reaction adds diagnostic value. However, in the era of next-generation sequencing, achieving high-throughput microbiota footprints is extremely sensitive. This sensitivity often leads to confusion, as it can detect specific microbes genomes, even in sterile samples, such as blood, placenta, breast milk, skin, vagina, and stool. The neonatal microbiome remarkably influences both fetal and neonatal life related to health status and disease outcome. However, its origins pose a question: does it stem from a direct gateway or through a breakdown of barriers? This review provides a brief overview of evidence and speculative insights.

Keyword

Microbiome; Placenta; Infant, newborn; Fetus

Figure

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  Figure 1. Human microbiome research published in PubMed. The numbers correspond to search results obtained using the keyword “human microbiome.”

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  Figure 2. Diagram illustrating the transfer of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome to the brain, breast, placenta, and other possible organs.

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