Vaginal seeding in babies born by caesarean section (ECOBABe trial) - shotgun metagenomics data

The ECOBABe trial was a single-blinded randomised placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of administration of maternal vaginal microbes (vaginal seeding) at birth to restore gut microbiome development in babies born by caesarean section (CS). The trial included 25 babies born by CS that were randomised to receive a 3ml solution of either maternal vaginal microbes (CS-seeded, n = 12) or sterile water (CS-placebo, n = 13). The trial also included a control group of vaginally born babies (VB, n = 22). Stool samples were collected from babies at 1 month and 3 months of age. Maternal vaginal samples were collected from CS mothers. Samples underwent shotgun metagenomic sequencing to assess microbiome composition and metabolic capacity . The primary outcome was a difference in gut microbiome composition at 1 month of age between CS-seeded and CS-placebo groups.