The maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy and its role in maternal and infant health

Abstract

There is growing knowledge that the maternal gut microbiome undergoes substantial changes during pregnancy. However, despite the recognition that the maternal gut microbiome influences maternal and infant health, we still have a limited understanding of the clinical and environmental factors that can impact the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy and the consequences of these changes. Here, we review the current body of knowledge about factors shaping the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy and its role in the development of pregnancy complications and infant health.