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Is a foetus developing in a sterile environment?

Wassenaar TM et al., 2014

Letters in applied microbiology, 59(6), 572-579

DOI 10.1111/lam.12334 PMID 25273890 Source

Abstract

Novel findings in microbiology question the long-standing paradigm that a healthy pregnancy implies a sterile uterus. It now seems that the placenta is frequently colonized with bacteria, and a placental microbiome has been identified. Recent literature findings are summarized here, and an attempt is made to separate pathological bacterial presence from a naturally occurring microbiome.

Topics

Pregnancy > Outcomes > ComplicationsPregnancy > Preterm Birth > Risk FactorsGeneral OB/GYN > Other > Miscellaneous
placental microbiome pregnancy, sterile womb paradigm bacteria, placenta colonization bacteria normal, intrauterine environment microbiome, fetal development bacterial exposure, preterm birth placental bacteria, pregnancy microbiome pathology, placenta infection versus colonization, maternal fetal microbiome transfer, healthy pregnancy bacterial presence

Cite this article

Wassenaar, T. M., & Panigrahi, P. (2014). Is a foetus developing in a sterile environment?. *Letters in applied microbiology*, *59*(6), 572-579. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.12334

Keywords

Amniotic Fluid, Bacteria, Bacterial Infections, Female, Fetal Development, Fetus, Humans, Infant, Microbiota, Placenta, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Premature Birth, Breast Milk, Neonatal Sepsis, Newborn Colonization, Placenta Microbiome, Placental Microbiome, Preterm Birth

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