Restoration of Microbiota in Neonates (RoMaNs)

Karolinska Institute

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Atopic Dermatitis; Immunologic Activity Alteration; Atopic Asthma

Treatments: Other: Maternal microbiota

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03928431

2017/1298-31/1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to examine the effect of exposure of cesarean section (CS) delivered neonates to a natural condition of birth, i.e. to the microbiota of the birth canal, on the acquisition of microbial genes during development of the microbiome at multiple body sites, immune system maturation and allergy risk in childhood

Full description

The primary outcome is to examine if exposure to the maternal vaginal and fecal microbiota directly after birth will halfen the cumulative incidence of Immunoglubulin E (IgE)-associated allergic disease at 2 years of age in CS delivered infants, compared with non-treated CS-delivered infants.

The secondary outcomes are to compare the community structure of microbes from mothers and their infants and immunological programming of infants delivered via scheduled CS, with or without exposure to the maternal vaginal and fecal microbiota, from birth until two years of age. The primary and secondary outcomes will also be compared with a reference group of vaginally delivered infants. Sex differences in the incidence and prevalence of allergic diseases have been described. The anticipated benefit of the intervention can be implemented in clinical practice regardless of sex, so that improved conditions for good health are created.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 15 minutes old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Infants of healthy mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies at term, mothers of any ethnic or social background that can speak, read, and understand Swedish to the extent that they can consent in Swedish. An additional inclusion criterion for mothers in the CS groups is vaginal pH ≤ 4 at the time of birth.

Exclusion criteria

• Infants of mothers with pre-eclampsia or complicated pregnancies, mothers <18 years or >40 years of age, genital herpes simplex, genital warts, HIV, Hepatitis B or complications during delivery, infants delivered prior to 37 weeks of gestation. Additional exclusion criteria for mothers in the CS group: Mothers positive to Group B Streptococcus, Group A Streptococcus, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal pH > 4 at the time of birth. Mothers with fecal samples positive for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter or Yersinia.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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300 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

vaginally delivered

No Intervention group

Description:

A non-randomized reference group of vaginally delivered infants.

CS intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

A piece of gauze soaked with saline (0.9%) will be placed in the birth canal 2 hours before the CS by the study midwife, using sterile glows. Before the CS procedure begins, the gauze will be removed from the vagina and then immediately "contaminated" by a swab carrying maternal fecal microbiota. The swab is contaminated by introducing it 3 cm into the anal canal and by rotating it for 10-20 s. Immediately after birth, the study midwife will swab the neonate with the gauze in multiple body sites by a standardized manner and then swab maternal breasts and chest skin. The neonate will then be placed on the maternal chest to initiate breast-feeding.

Treatment:

Other: Maternal microbiota

CS placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

See above - the gauze will be exchanged to a clean gauze (soaked with saline). Immediately after birth, the study midwife will swab the neonate with the gauze in multiple body sites by a standardized manner and then swab maternal breasts and chest skin. The neonate will then be placed on the maternal chest to initiate breast-feeding.

Treatment:

Other: Maternal microbiota