Characterisation of the Gut Microbiota in Term Infants After Maternal Supplementation of Probiotics

Pregnant women will be recruited at the ordinary midwife visit in gestational week 28. The intervention will begin in gestational week 33+0 to ensure at least four weeks prenatal intervention before expected birth.

The study will be conducted in four phases. First phase is the run-in phase. The second phase is the prenatal intervention period from gestational week 33+0 until birth. Third phase is the postnatal intervention period, from birth until four weeks postnatal. The last phase is a two weeks follow-up period without any intake of the investigational product.

Infant stool samples, as well as maternal breast milk samples, stool and urine samples and samples from vagina will be collected on multiple occasions during the study. In addition, sample from placenta, umbilical cord, umbilical cord blood and amnion fluid will be collected. Mothers will be asked to complete electronic questionnaires daily during the course of the study.

Inclusion criteria

Pregnant women:

• Enrolled at Aarhus University Hospital
• Singleton pregnancy
• Age above 18 years at informed consent
• Aim to give birth vaginally
• Aim to breastfeed
• No use of probiotics (contained in dietary supplements/ food) after written consent.

Infants:

• Gestational age between 37-42 weeks

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant women • Use of immunosuppressant drugs.

Infants:

• None