Doctors are Noticing a Concerning Trait in Babies just Hours After Birth

New research has found a concerning characteristic in babies that could greatly affect their health down the line.

While some gut microbiome can pass in utero, a newborn’s gut microbiome was previously thought to be nearly sterile, mostly acquiring bacteria during birth or via breastfeeding.

But new findings may prove otherwise, according to research presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Global 2026.

Researchers analyzed stool samples from 105 infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit within the first 72 hours of life to capture the earliest stages of microbial and genetic exposure.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) — segments of DNA that help bacteria survive the effects of antibiotics — were found in newborns, a potential contributor that could allow bacteria to evade antibiotic treatment.

The findings suggest that the newborn’s gut microbiome, which is affected by maternal and environmental factors, may be exposed to bacteria during pregnancy. (Read more from “Doctors are Noticing a Concerning Trait in Babies just Hours After Birth” HERE)

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