Abstract
Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of the available information on the maternal microbio-me and its effect on pregnancy and preterm birth. Methods: Systematic review of available literature on the topic was done using the PubMed database.
Conclusion: Etiology of preterm labor is multifactorial. Individual setting of humoral and cellular immune response is key; however, lately the focus has shifted to the role of the microbio-me, especially the vaginal one.
The role of additional microbio-mes and the relationship between different compartments are the focus of intensive research. Mainly the differences in the maternal and neonatal microbio-me depend on the method of delivery and administration of different antibio-tics during pregnancy and labor.
The uterine cavity is no longer thought to be without colonization and the formation of the fetal microbio-me begins early in pregnancy.