When pregnant women develop a serious condition called preeclampsia, it can affect the healthy bacteria in their babies’ stomachs after birth. Researchers studied 45 premature babies born to mothers with and without this condition. Some mothers received a special supplement called Bifidobacterium during pregnancy. The study found that babies born to healthy mothers had more diverse and healthier gut bacteria. Babies whose mothers took the Bifidobacterium supplement had better bacteria than those whose mothers didn’t, but the supplement didn’t completely fix the problem. This research suggests that prenatal supplements may help, but doctors may need to develop even better strategies to fully protect these vulnerable babies.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special bacteria supplement given to pregnant women with a serious blood pressure condition could improve their premature babies’ gut health
  • Who participated: 45 premature babies divided into three groups: babies born to healthy mothers (15), babies whose mothers had the blood pressure condition and took a bacteria supplement (15), and babies whose mothers had the condition but didn’t take the supplement (15)
  • Key finding: Babies whose mothers took the Bifidobacterium supplement had healthier gut bacteria than babies whose mothers didn’t take it, but still not as healthy as babies born to mothers without the blood pressure condition
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant and at risk for preeclampsia, prenatal Bifidobacterium supplements may help your baby’s digestive health, though this is early research and you should discuss it with your doctor. This finding is most relevant for premature babies and their mothers.

The Research Details

This was an observational study, meaning researchers watched and measured what naturally happened rather than randomly assigning people to different treatments. They collected stool samples from premature babies shortly after birth and used advanced genetic testing (called 16S rRNA sequencing) to identify and count all the different bacteria living in their intestines. They then compared the bacteria between three groups of babies based on their mothers’ health status and whether the mothers received a special supplement containing beneficial bacteria called Bifidobacterium during pregnancy.

The researchers measured two main things: first, how many different types of bacteria each baby had (called diversity), and second, which specific bacteria were present and in what amounts. They also analyzed what functions these bacteria could perform in the baby’s body, particularly looking at their ability to produce energy and create substances that might trigger inflammation.

Understanding how maternal health conditions affect a baby’s gut bacteria is important because these early bacteria help train the baby’s immune system and help with digestion. Premature babies are already at higher risk for health problems, so finding ways to give them healthier bacteria from the start could be protective. This study helps doctors understand whether supplements given during pregnancy can help prevent some of these problems.

This study had a relatively small number of participants (45 babies), which means the results should be interpreted cautiously. The study was observational rather than randomized, meaning the groups weren’t randomly assigned—mothers chose whether to take the supplement or not, which could introduce bias. However, the researchers used sophisticated genetic testing methods to identify bacteria and applied proper statistical corrections to reduce false findings. The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.

What the Results Show

Babies born to healthy mothers had significantly more diverse gut bacteria compared to babies born to mothers with preeclampsia, regardless of whether those mothers took the supplement. This diversity is important because a wider variety of bacteria generally means a healthier gut.

When researchers looked at which specific bacteria were present, they found clear differences between groups. Babies born to healthy mothers had more of a bacteria called Bacteroides, which is generally considered beneficial. In contrast, babies whose mothers had preeclampsia but didn’t take the supplement had more Proteobacteria and Streptococcus, which can be problematic in high amounts.

Babies whose mothers took the Bifidobacterium supplement during pregnancy had a different bacterial pattern—they had more of the beneficial bacteria the supplement was designed to provide (Actinobacteria and Rothia). This suggests the supplement did reach the baby and influenced their gut bacteria.

When researchers analyzed what these bacteria could do in the baby’s body, they found concerning differences. Babies whose mothers had preeclampsia without the supplement showed increased activity in pathways that produce endotoxins (harmful substances that can trigger inflammation). Babies whose mothers took the supplement had reduced endotoxin activity compared to the untreated group, but it was still higher than babies born to healthy mothers.

The study also examined energy production in the gut bacteria. Babies born to mothers with untreated preeclampsia had impaired ability to produce energy through a process called glycolysis. The Bifidobacterium supplement partially restored this energy-producing ability, though again not to the level seen in babies born to healthy mothers. This is significant because proper energy metabolism in the gut is important for the bacteria to function well and support the baby’s health.

Previous research has shown that preeclampsia can affect a baby’s development and health outcomes. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that one way preeclampsia may harm babies is by disrupting the establishment of healthy gut bacteria. The finding that Bifidobacterium supplements help but don’t completely fix the problem aligns with other research suggesting that single-strain supplements may have limited effects on complex bacterial communities.

The study was small with only 45 babies, so results may not apply to all premature babies. The mothers weren’t randomly assigned to take or not take the supplement—they chose based on their doctors’ recommendations—which could mean the groups differed in other ways we don’t know about. The study only looked at bacteria in the first stool sample after birth, so we don’t know if these differences persist over time. The research was done in one location, so results might differ in other populations. Finally, while the study shows the supplement changed the bacteria, it doesn’t prove this change actually improves the babies’ health outcomes.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, prenatal Bifidobacterium supplementation may be worth discussing with your doctor if you have preeclampsia or are at high risk for it, particularly if you’re likely to deliver prematurely. However, this is early-stage research, and the supplement appears to help partially rather than completely. Confidence level: Low to Moderate. More research is needed before making this a standard recommendation. This should not replace standard medical care for preeclampsia.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women with preeclampsia or at high risk for it, especially those expecting premature babies. It may also interest parents of premature babies and healthcare providers managing high-risk pregnancies. People without preeclampsia or those carrying full-term pregnancies should not assume these findings apply to them.

If a pregnant woman took this supplement, the effects on her baby’s gut bacteria would begin during pregnancy and be measurable at birth. However, it’s unclear how long these bacterial changes persist or when they might translate into health benefits for the baby. Long-term follow-up studies would be needed to determine if these early bacterial changes lead to better health outcomes as the baby grows.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a pregnancy or health app, track prenatal supplement intake (specifically Bifidobacterium if recommended by your doctor) and note any discussions with your healthcare provider about preeclampsia risk. Record the date and dosage of any supplements taken.
  • If your doctor recommends prenatal Bifidobacterium supplementation, set a daily reminder in your app to take the supplement at the same time each day to ensure consistency. Log when you take it to maintain adherence and discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider.
  • Work with your healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure regularly throughout pregnancy (a key indicator of preeclampsia risk). If taking Bifidobacterium, keep records of supplement use and any changes in digestive symptoms. After delivery, discuss with your pediatrician whether monitoring your baby’s digestive health or stool patterns might be relevant based on your pregnancy history.

This research is preliminary and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider. Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition requiring professional medical management. While this study suggests Bifidobacterium supplementation may help optimize premature infants’ gut bacteria when mothers have preeclampsia, the supplement did not completely reverse the effects and is not a treatment for preeclampsia itself. Any decisions about prenatal supplementation should be made in consultation with your obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. This study was conducted on a small sample size and results may not apply to all populations. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing preeclampsia and supporting your baby’s health.