Vaginal seeding

Vaginal seeding is a novel procedure whereby vaginal fluids (and hence vaginal microbes) are applied to a new-born delivered by caesarean section, in order to create an equivalent biome to a baby delivered vaginally.[1]

The motivation is that some research has linked deliver by caesarean section to a higher rate of asthma, overweight and other autoimmune conditions.[2] Additionally it has been demonstrated that the process can partially reduce the difference[3] between the biomes of babies delivered by different methods.[4]

Vaginal fluids can host a wide variety of pathogens, and therefore there is a risk of causing infection by using this procedure.[2] A BMJ editorial concluded that "the small risk of harm cannot be justified without evidence of benefit."[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Vaginal seeding: What is the technique used after c-sections - and is it safe?". The Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "“Vaginal seeding” of infants born by caesarean section" (PDF). 23 February 2016. doi:10.1136/bmj.i227. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  3. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110651/
  4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26828196/

External links


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