Improving immune-related health outcomes post-cesarean birth with a gut microbiome-based program: A randomized controlled trial (Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)

Infants delivered by C-section are known to carry a distinct gut microbiome that increases their risk of allergies, asthma, and other immune-related conditions later in life. In a new randomized controlled trial, researchers tested a personalized microbiome-based program that combined stool microbiome reports, tailored recommendations, education, and coaching for parents. Within six months, C-section infants in the intervention arm showed a dramatic rise in beneficial Bifidobacterium (especially B. infantis), improved capacity to digest human milk oligosaccharides, and a “C-section index” resembling that of vaginally delivered infants.