Gastrointestinal microflora of full-term newborn infants with different modes of delivery

The study aimed to investigate the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract in infants born via vaginal delivery or Cesarean section. In the first hours postpartum, microbial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract occurred in 78 % of the infants born via vaginal delivery, and in 27 % of the infants born via Cesarean section. The effects of antibiotics and probiotics, which were administered to the women during pregnancy and labor, on the composition of gastrointestinal micro-flora in infants were studied. In the infants born to mothers receiving antimicrobials lactobacilli in gastric aspirate and meconium were not detected. Using probiotics during pregnancy did not have any effect on lactobacilli detection in the infants.