Maternal gut microbiome seeds infant health and eczema risk

In Lifelines NEXT, 714 mother–infant pairs were followed from pregnancy to 12 months postpartum. The maternal gut microbiome remains relatively stable but acts as the major reservoir for infant gut strains; transfer occurs mainly early and is influenced by maternal gut abundance, while vaginal and breast milk routes contribute only intermittently. Infant gut composition and function are chiefly shaped by mode of delivery and feeding, with maternal exposures also affecting outcomes. Importantly, maternal gut microbiome features predict infant eczema risk. Home births show only modest differences in infant gut microbiome compared with hospital births, highlighting the central role of the mother–microbiome axis in early-life health.