The role of the microbiome in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive overview of the available information on the maternal microbio-me and its effect on pregnancy and preterm birth.

METHODS

Systematic review of available literature on the topic was done using the PubMed database.

CONCLUSION

Etiology of preterm labor is multifactorial. Individual setting of humoral and cellular immune response is key; however, lately the focus has shifted to the role of the microbio-me, especially the vaginal one. The role of additional microbio-mes and the relationship between different compartments are the focus of intensive research. Mainly the differences in the maternal and neonatal microbio-me depend on the method of delivery and administration of different antibio-tics during pregnancy and labor. The uterine cavity is no longer thought to be without colonization and the formation of the fetal microbio-me begins early in pregnancy.