Pregnancy weight gain was linked to differences in infants' gut microbes
A systematic review reported lower microbial diversity and changes in microbial composition, but the abstract cannot establish that maternal weight gain caused these differences.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review linked pregnancy weight gain described as excessive with lower infant gut microbial diversity and shifts in the microbes present. It also reported an association with greater early childhood weight gain. These findings concern relationships across studies; they do not show that changing pregnancy weight gain would alter a child's microbiome or prevent later health problems.
The abstract does not give participant totals, weight-gain thresholds, effect estimates, or the designs of included studies. It cannot establish causation or tell us whether the reported microbial changes lead to lasting illness.
What changed in the microbiome
The reported pattern included less Bacteroides and more organisms the authors described as opportunistic or potentially harmful. The review also described differences in microbial pathways related to breaking down carbohydrates and producing vitamins.
Microbial patterns and health outcomes
Microbial diversity describes the variety within a microbial community. The abstract links these patterns to childhood weight gain, but does not report clinical disease outcomes or establish that the microbial differences caused that weight gain.
The original publication
The effect of gestational weight gain on the infant gut microbiome- a systematic review of the literature.
Xixi NA, Karamanolis G, Vlachogianni EE et al.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41743357
- Record checked
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