Investigate the relationship between the microbiota awareness in first trimester and high risk pregnancy in Turkish women: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: It is suggested that pregnancy risks may be related to microbial dysbiosis, and it is known that knowledge on this subject is reflected in behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether microbiota awareness in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with pregnancy-related risks. METHODS: Within the scope of the study, the microbiota awareness scale was administered to 426 individuals in the first trimester of pregnancy, and information on any diagnosis related to high-risk pregnancy, gestational age, birth weight, and birth height of the newborn was obtained from their file records. RESULTS: The mean total microbiota awareness score of individuals was 61.38 ± 11.00 (26.00–91.00). The microbiota awareness score (56.85 ± 11.65) was found to be lower in individuals diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy (p < 0.05) than in healthy subjects (63.64 ± 9.94). Moreover, in individuals with high-risk pregnancies, a positive correlation was found between the microbiota awareness score and newborn birth weight and height (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The poor microbiota awareness level in pregnant women is associated with high-risk pregnancy and neonatal growth status.