| Gut microbiota and metabolomic alterations in newborns
of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus |
Wan-Hsin Su1 
, Yi-Wei Wang1, Chien-Chang Chen1,2
, Ming-Wei Lai1,2, Hsun-Chin Chao1,2, Ming-Chou Chiang2,3
, Ren-Huei Fu2,3
, Pai-Jui Yeh1
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1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children’s Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
2Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
3Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan |
Correspondence:
Chien-Chang Chen, Email: cgj2841@yahoo.com
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Received: 10 May 2025 • Revised: 26 July 2025 • Accepted: 16 August 2025 |
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| Abstract |
Background
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is
a common complication of pregnancy associated with
various perinatal risks in mothers and heightened risks
of long-term obesity and metabolic syndrome in their
children. Understanding the effect of GDM on infant
health is crucial. Infant gut colonization has generated
significant interest owing to its profound impact on
health and potential role in later disease development.
Purpose
Here we conducted a thorough analysis of
the microbiota and metabolome of neonatal meconium
to understand how GDM in mothers affects microbial
colonization in the early lives of their offspring.
Methods
This study included 49 healthy-term neonates
born to mothers with GDM (n=29) and normoglycemic
mothers (n=20) between March 2022 and February 2023
at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Linkou branch). Fecal
samples were collected in sterilized containers before the
infants reached 5 days of age. To analyze the meconium
microbiota, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed,
and proton nuclear magnetic resonance was used to
examine the metabolome.
Results
Neonates born to mothers with diet-controlled
GDM exhibited a notable decrease in α-diversity and
a shift in β-diversity compared to those born to normoglycemic
mothers. A functional analysis revealed increased
peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and
adipocytokine signaling pathway activation in the GDM
group. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant changes
in the fumarate and succinate levels, indicating metabolic
shifts associated with maternal GDM.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the potential effects
of pregnancy-related complications on the establishment
of gut bacteria in neonates. Further comprehensive
studies are required to understand the long-term implications
of these microbial changes on infant health. |
| Key Words:
Gestational diabetes mellitus, Neonatal gut
microbiota, Meconium metabolomics, Microbial diversity,
Metabolic shifts |
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