A newborn baby comes from a sterile environment but, as it passes through the birth canal and comes into contact with the outside world, it begins to be colonized by various microorganisms that little by little will constitute its microbiota or intestinal flora. This microbiota is of the utmost importance since health throughout its life will largely depend on its diversity and functionality. The bacteria present in the intestine are related to the development of the immune system, they protect against intestinal diseases, infections and various pathologies.
The microbiota is not the same in all newborns. This varies depending on the type of delivery (vaginal or caesarean section), the type of feeding (breastfeeding or bottle), weeks of gestation, medication of the mother or baby, etc.
In an investigation carried out by a scientist from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), they have been studied the effects of the administration of antibiotics during childbirth on the gut microbiota of vaginally born full-term infants. The results suggest that this fairly common practice could favor colonization by pathogenic bacteria that carry genes for resistance to these antibiotics.
The administration of antibiotics to the mother during childbirth is a fairly common practice (approximately 30% of cases). It is used as prophylaxis when the mother is positive in the analysis of streptococcus, a type of bacteria that does not cause damage under normal conditions but that, if it reaches the lungs, can have serious consequences for the newborn. In previous studies, it had already been seen that the administration of antibiotics caused alterations in the microbiota of premature babies. Following recent research, these results have been extrapolated to full-term babies. According to Miguel Gueimonde, one of the CSIC researchers, the impact of antibiotic therapy on the intestinal flora and the possibility of the appearance of bacteria that carry resistant genes deserve special attention.
The team of researchers, including scientists from the Central University Hospital of Asturias and the University of Parma (Italy), analyzed stool samples from 40 full-term infants by vaginal delivery. Of these, 18 were born in deliveries in which the mother was administered penicillin as antibacterial prophylaxis.
The follow-up was done during the first three months of life of the babies and, among other results, a decrease in family bacteria bifidobacteriaceae whose presence is beneficial to the body. Likewise, an increase in potentially pathogenic and resistant bacteria of the Campylobacter or Helicobacter genera was observed.
According to investigators, the study does not seek to end the practice of administering antibiotics, but to warn of the secondary effects and lay the foundations for the establishment of strategies aimed at correcting these alterations, favoring the colonization and establishment of the newborn's intestinal microbiota.