Infant gut microbiota following cesarean section in the Middle East: a multidisciplinary expert consensus based on a targeted narrative review

Background: Early-life dysbiosis associated with Cesarean section (C-section) delivery is increasingly recognized as a modifiable risk factor influencing short- and long-term health outcomes. This multidisciplinary expert consensus summarizes the clinical implications of C-section on infant gut microbiota. It proposes evidence-based strategies to mitigate these effects, with a focus on the critical window of the first 1,000 days of life. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of 16 pediatricians, neonatologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, and nutrition experts conducted a targeted narrative review of the literature to inform a structured expert consensus process and participated in an online structured consensus process. Seventeen consensus statements were developed and validated through discussion, expert voting, and commentary, supported by a targeted review of current scientific evidence. Results: The expert panel reached consensus on the impact of C-section delivery on early microbiota composition and its clinical relevance, emphasizing that the rising prevalence of C-sections worldwide demands urgent attention. Experts unanimously emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding as the primary strategy to support healthy microbiota development in infants born by cesarean section. When exclusive breastfeeding is not possible, evidence-based nutritional approaches, including selected prebiotics and probiotic strains with documented clinical efficacy, are recognized as promising alternatives for supporting microbial balance. Notably, the panel underscored that not all probiotics are equally effective and recommended shifting toward evidence-based strains shown to help restore gut dysbiosis in this population. Also, experts advocated for continuing microbiota-targeted support throughout the first 1,000 days of life, viewing this developmental window as a critical continuum rather than a limited early-life phase, while acknowledging the need for more long-term data. Additionally, education for healthcare professionals and parents about the long-term implications of C-section delivery was emphasized as a key enabler of the broader adoption of eubiosis-targeted strategies. Conclusions: Optimizing microbial colonization in infants born by cesarean section requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes breastfeeding, supports judicious use of evidence-based nutritional interventions when needed, and emphasizes education and continuity of care across early life. By aligning clinical practice with emerging microbiome science, early-life interventions may reduce dysbiosis-associated risks and improve long-term health outcomes.