The role of altered gut microbiota of pregnant woman in the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.153

Shcherbakova E.A., Baranov A.N., Istomina N.G.
Northern State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Arkhangelsk, Russia

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pathological condition characterized by the fetus’s inability to grow adequately during pregnancy. FGR is associated with a high incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes, which may lead to increased morbidity in later life. The fetal gut microbiota is established in the second half of pregnancy from the mother via a process known as bacterial translocation. An imbalance in the maternal gut microbiota can lead to metabolic inflammation and is pathogenetically linked to the development of fetal growth restriction. The interaction between lipopolysaccharide and TLR4, increased intestinal barrier permeability, and activation of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-6) lead to endotoxemia. Treatment with probiotics has the potential to reduce inflammation and improve fetal growth. The use of probiotics should be strictly regulated both during pregnancy and in the neonatal period.
Conclusion. Fetal growth restriction is associated with inflammatory processes in the mother’s intestine, which gives rise to the ‘gut-placenta-fetus’ pathogenetic axis. The development of diagnostic panels based on microbiome markers and the use of probiotics to correct dysbiotic conditions have the potential to improve perinatal outcomes.

Authors’ contributions. Shcherbakova E.A., Baranov A.N., Istomina N.G. – review of publications, data analysis, writing the text of the article. All authors confirm that their authorship complies with the international ICMJE criteria (all authors made a significant contribution to the development of the concept, research and preparation of the article, read and approved the final version before publication).
Conflicts of interest. Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interests.
Funding. The study was conducted without sponsorship.
Generative Artificial Intelligence. No generative artificial intelligence technologies were used in the preparation of this article.
For citation: Shcherbakova E.A., Baranov A.N., Istomina N.G. The role of altered gut microbiota of
pregnant woman in the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (9): 11-16 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.153

fetal growth restriction

gut microbiota

inflammation

probiotic

Full text (in Russian)

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Received 05.05.2026

Accepted 14.07.2026

Elizaveta A. Shcherbakova, PhD, Teaching Assistant at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northern State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia,
163069, Russia, Arkhangelsk, Troitsky Ave., 51, +7(911)-572-20-79, Liza140395@rambler.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6297-4415
Alexey N. Baranov, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northern State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia,
163069, Russia, Arkhangelsk, Troitsky Ave., 51, +7(921)246-90-58, a.n.baranov2011@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2530-0379
Natalya G. Istomina, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northern State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia,
163069, Russia, Arkhangelsk, Troitsky Ave., 51, +7(921)-477-47-84, nataly.istomina@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9214-8923

The role of altered gut microbiota of pregnant woman in the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction

Shcherbakova E.A., Baranov A.N., Istomina N.G.

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