Association between labor epidural analgesia and gut microbiota: a prospective cohort study

Background Labor epidural analgesia (LEA) may influence gut microbiota. We explored the association between LEA and gut microbiota for both mothers and their newborns. Methods In this prospective cohort study, parturients aged 25–35 years with a gestational age of 37–42 weeks and planned vaginal delivery were recruited. Twenty-one parturients received LEA (the LEA group), and 24 did not (the control group). Maternal and neonatal fecal samples were collected, and the gut microbiota profiles were analyzed using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The impact of LEA on gut microbiota was assessed using the general liner models. Results We showcased the gut microbiota profile from the phyla to species levels based on data on 45 mother-newborn dyads. The results of α- and β-diversity suggested significant changes in gut microbiota between the LEA and control groups. After adjusting for baseline confounders, the administration of LEA had positive correlations with R. ilealis (β = 91.87, adjusted P = 0.007) in mothers; LEA also had negative correlations with A. pittii (β = -449.36, adjusted P = 0.015), P. aeruginosa (β = -192.55, adjusted P = 0.008), or S. maltophilia (β = -142.62, adjusted P = 0.001) in mothers, and with Muribaculaceae (β = -2702.77, adjusted P = 0.003) in neonates. Conclusion LEA was associated with changes in maternal and neonatal gut microbiota, and future studies are still required to assess their impact on clinical outcomes and explore the mechanisms.