Methods
To determine feasibility of measuring the gut microbiome in pregnancy, we enrolled 20 healthy pregnant women at 14-28 weeks’ gestation and collected maternal fecal samples by inserting two sterile Dacron swabs within the rectum for 15-20 seconds. After feasibility was established, we then enrolled 41 pregnant women at < 20 weeks’ gestation and collected maternal fecal swabs at baseline and again at 36-39 weeks’ gestation. We also recorded maternal BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG), maternal anthropometric measurements (wait and hip circumference and skin folds), infant birthweight and gestational age at delivery. Bacterial DNA was extracted from swabs, followed by 16s rRNA gene-based PCR and multiplex high-throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeQ). Analysis was performed using Qiime, PRIMER VI (city, state). A total of six phyla and 70 genera were analyzed. We used cluster analysis to compare bacterial profiles by phylum and genus by gestational age and longitudinally through pregnancy at two time points. We also examined if there were differences in diversity by maternal body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and infant birth weight.
Methods
To determine feasibility of measuring the gut microbiome in pregnancy, we enrolled 20 healthy pregnant women at 14-28 weeks’ gestation and collected maternal fecal samples by inserting two sterile Dacron swabs within the rectum for 15-20 seconds. After feasibility was established, we then enrolled 41 pregnant women at < 20 weeks’ gestation and collected maternal fecal swabs at baseline and again at 36-39 weeks’ gestation. We also recorded maternal BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG), maternal anthropometric measurements (wait and hip circumference and skin folds), infant birthweight and gestational age at delivery. Bacterial DNA was extracted from swabs, followed by 16s rRNA gene-based PCR and multiplex high-throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeQ). Analysis was performed using Qiime, PRIMER VI (city, state). A total of six phyla and 70 genera were analyzed. We used cluster analysis to compare bacterial profiles by phylum and genus by gestational age and longitudinally through pregnancy at two time points. We also examined if there were differences in diversity by maternal body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and infant birth weight.
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