news-date">06.02.2023
Whether a baby is born “naturally” or by cesarean section appears to affect how their immune systems respond to two important childhood vaccines. This is what a study by Dutch and Scottish researchers suggests.
news-single-imgcaption" style="width:350px;">© Dmitry Lobanov – Fotolia.com
The scientists found that babies born naturally have higher levels of antibodies than those born by cesarean section following receiving pneumococcal and meningococcal C vaccines. These vaccines protect once morest bacteria that cause lung infections and meningitis.
The researchers examined the relationship between gut microbes and antibody levels following pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccinations in 120 babies. To do this, they observed the development of the gut microbiome – the microbial community that lives in our body – during the child’s first year of life and its immune response to the vaccines by testing saliva samples at 12 and 18 months of age.
After the pneumococcal vaccination, the scientists (101 babies) found twice as high antibody levels in babies born vaginally compared to those born by caesarean section.
Antibody levels following meningitis vaccination were analyzed in 66 babies. The experts found that the antibody levels in babies born naturally breastfeeding Were 1.7 times higher than those who were delivered by cesarean section.
Breastfeeding also has a positive effect
Breastfed babies showed 3.5 times higher antibody levels than naturally born, bottle-fed infants.
The gut microbiome forms at birth, develops rapidly in the first few months of life, and is primarily influenced by the mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and use of antibiotics.
Clear connection between the baby’s intestinal flora and the antibody level
Among a variety of bacteria in the gut, high levels of two in particular – Bifidobacterium and Escherichia coli (E. coli) – have been associated with a strong antibody response to the pneumococcal vaccine.
High levels of E. coli alone elicited a strong antibody response to the meningitis vaccine.
The baby acquires the Bifido and E.coli bacteria through natural birth, and breast milk provides the nutrients for these bacteria.
The team concludes that the babies’ microbiome either increases or decreases the immune system’s response to the vaccines, thereby protecting once morest certain childhood infections.
Professor Debby Bogaert, Principal Investigator and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Edinburgh, commented: “I find it particularly interesting that we have identified several beneficial microbes that can affect the way a vaccine works. In the future, we may be able to provide these bacteria to children born by caesarean section, for example through “stool transplants” from mother to baby or through the use of specially developed probiotics.
Sources: Science Daily, University of Edinburgh, Nature Communications
