Swab trick may give C-Section babies a microbiome boost
NCT ID NCT02567071
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether giving C-section newborns a swab coated with their mother's vaginal and perineal fluids could restore the natural gut bacteria they would have gotten during a vaginal birth. Thirty-three mothers and their babies participated, with some babies receiving the treated swab and others a clean swab. The goal was to see if this simple procedure could improve the diversity of the baby's gut microbiome, which is linked to better immune health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- perineal and vaginal secretions on a swab
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this simple swab technique could help C-section babies develop a healthier gut microbiome, potentially reducing risks of allergies, asthma, and other immune-related conditions.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study (33 participants) that only measured microbiome diversity and health questionnaires. It does not prove long-term health benefits, and the approach may not be effective or safe for all newborns.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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33 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2016
- Finished
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Apr 2019
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * over the age of legal majority * delivery by planned C-section at term or vaginal delivery at term * registered at a social security service Exclusion Criteria: * HIV or other STD patients * immunocompromised patients * known streptococcus B carriers * known vaginal or perineal herpes infections * chronic disease patients (obesity, diabetes, IBD) * IMC before pregnancy \> 30 kg/m² * antibiotic treatments one month before delivery * emergency C-section * Premature delivery (\<37 amenorrhea weeks) * hospitalized for more than one week before delivery * known HVC infections * for the newborns: every diagnosed anomaly * patients who do not understand the research procedures or those that are institutionalized, or those unable to give informed consent * patients deprived of ther liberty by legal or administrative decisions * patients under an exclusion period from another study
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière
Paris, 75013, France