Microbial dysbiosis and associated disease mechanisms in maternal and child health.

Maternal and infant microbiome dysbiosis is associated with poor health outcomes-gut, vaginal, and placental microbiome disruptions in the gut, vaginal, and potentially placental microbiomes-though the existence of a distinct placental microbiome remains controversial-have been linked to pregnancy difficulties and neonatal infections. Dysbiosis leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in the gut-brain axis, which in turn affect immunological control, metabolic balance, and neurodevelopment. Maternal age, antibiotic exposure, and cesarean delivery increase microbial imbalances, raising the risk of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and neurodevelopmental disorders. New research highlights the importance of systems-level microbial interactions in the gut-vagina axis and maternal-fetal health. Probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplants may treat microbiome disorders. To reduce dysbiosis risks, research should focus on microbiome-based biomarkers, predictive AI models, and global health policy. Understanding microbial interactions at the system level is essential for maternal and child health.