Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy associated with various perinatal risks in mothers and heightened risks of long-term obesity and metabolic syndrome in their children. Understanding the effect of GDM on infant health is crucial. Infant gut colonization has generated significant interest owing to its profound impact on health and potential role in later disease development. PURPOSE: Here we conducted a thorough analysis of the microbiota and metabolome of neonatal meconium to understand how GDM in mothers affects microbial colonization in the early lives of their offspring. METHODS: This study included 49 healthy-term neonates born to mothers with GDM (n=29) and normoglycemic mothers (n=20) between March 2022 and February 2023 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Linkou branch). Fecal samples were collected in sterilized containers before the infants reached 5 days of age. To analyze the meconium microbiota, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance was used to examine the metabolome. RESULTS: Neonates born to mothers with diet-controlled GDM exhibited a notable decrease in α-diversity and a shift in β-diversity compared to those born to normoglycemic mothers. A functional analysis revealed increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and adipocytokine signaling pathway activation in the GDM group. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant changes in the fumarate and succinate levels, indicating metabolic shifts associated with maternal GDM. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the potential effects of pregnancy-related complications on the establishment of gut bacteria in neonates. Further comprehensive studies are required to understand the long-term implications of these microbial changes on infant health.