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Experimental and Clinical Gastroenterology

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Gut microbiome in children born to women with obesity

https://doi.org/10.31146/1682-8658-ecg-246-2-39-44

Abstract

Relevance. Despite active research into the influence of maternal obesity on offspring health, the characteristics of the gut microbiota in children of various ages born to mothers with obesity have not been well studied. Objective. To determine the features of gut microbiome in preschool and school-age children born to mothers with obesity. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted at the City Polyclinic No. 56, DPO 48, St. Petersburg. It involved 55 children (aged 5-6 and 14-16 years), divided into groups based on the presence of maternal obesity before and during pregnancy (Group 1 - maternal obesity; Group 2 - controls). All children underwent anthropometric measurements and blood testing for microbial biomarkers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (G.A. Osipov’s method). Statistical analysis was performed using StatTech v. 4.10.4. Results. Children in Group 1 more frequently had obesity or overweight (46.6% vs. 8.0%, p<0.001). They showed higher levels of Actinomyces spp (p<0.001), Alcaligenes spp (p<0.001), Clostridium coccoides (p=0.035), Clostridium propionicum (p=0.002), Clostridium ramosum (p=0.004), Nocardia asteroids (p=0.002), Pseudonocardia spp (p<0.001), Ruminococcus spp (p<0.001), Staphylococcus spp (p=0.006), and Streptococcus mutans (p=0.036). Plasmalogen levels were higher in the control group (p=0.002), while total endotoxin levels were higher in Group 1 (p<0.001). Conclusion. Children born to mothers with obesity have a distinct gut microbiome.

About the Authors

L. A. Firsova
St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Russian Federation


P. A. Pankratova
St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Russian Federation


N. V. Evdokimova
St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Russian Federation


A. L. Balashov
St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Russian Federation


A. N. Zavyalova
St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Russian Federation


V. P. Novikova
St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Russian Federation


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For citations:


Firsova L.A., Pankratova P.A., Evdokimova N.V., Balashov A.L., Zavyalova A.N., Novikova V.P. Gut microbiome in children born to women with obesity. Experimental and Clinical Gastroenterology. 2026;(2):39-44. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31146/1682-8658-ecg-246-2-39-44

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