Emory University African American Vaginal, Oral, and Gut Microbiome in Pregnancy Cohort Study

The Emory University African American Microbiome in Pregnancy Cohort Study prospectively enrolls African American women between 18-40 years of age without chronic medical conditions into a longitudinal follow-up study that involves completing microbiome sampling and data collection at two time points in pregnancy (8-14 weeks gestation and 24-30 weeks gestation). The study is investigating the role of the oral, vaginal, and gut microbiome on preterm birth and other pregnancy outcomes as well as biobehavioral factors that shape the microbiome among this socio-demographically diverse group of women. Microbiome sampling involves the oral, vaginal, and gut sites. Biobehavioral factors that are being explored for their association with microbiome composition at the three body sites include measures of sociodemographic status as well as diet and nutrition, infectious and stress exposures.