Oral microflora in infants delivered vaginally and by caesarean section

Mette Nelun Barfod, Kerstin Magnusson, Michala Oron Lexner, Susanne Blomqvist, Gunnar Dahlén, Svante Twetman

40 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Early in life, vaginally delivered infants exhibit a different composition of the gut flora compared with infants delivered by caesarean section (C-section); however, it is unclear whether this also applies to the oral cavity. Aim. To investigate and compare the oral microbial profile between infants delivered vaginally and by C-section. Design. This is a cross-sectional case-control study. Eighty-four infants delivered either vaginally (n=42) or by C-section (n=42) were randomly selected from the 2009 birth cohort at the County Hospital in Halmstad, Sweden. Medically compromised and premature children (<32weeks) were excluded. The mean age was 8.25months (range 6-10months), and parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, and hygiene habits. Saliva was collected and analysed using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Results. A higher prevalence of salivary Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus curvata, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacuillus casei was detected in infants delivered vaginally (P<0.05). The caries-associated bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were detected in 63% and 59% of all children, respectively. Conclusion. A significantly higher prevalence of certain strains of health-related streptococci and lactobacilli was found in vaginally delivered infants compared with infants delivered by C-section. The possible long-term effects on oral health need to be further investigated.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftInternational Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Online
Vol/bind21
Udgave nummer6
Sider (fra-til)401-406
ISSN1365-263X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - nov. 2011

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