Perinatal antibiotic exposure (maternal and/or neonatal) is associated with significant shifts in the gut microbiota of preterm infants, favoring pathogenic bacteria over beneficial species.
Combined maternal and neonatal antibiotic exposure leads to greater dysbiosis and higher gut-blood microbial correlations, suggesting increased risk for bloodstream infections.
Exclusive breastfeeding supports the recovery and maintenance of beneficial gut flora, particularly Bifidobacterium spp., even after antibiotic exposure.
The presence of causative pathogens in the gut preceding bloodstream infection highlights the gut as a reservoir and potential source for neonatal sepsis.
