Pre- and Postnatal Determinants Shaping the Microbiome of the Newborn in the Opinion of Pregnant Women from Silesia (Poland)

Abstract

Pre- and postnatal factors influence the formation of the newborn’s microbiome as early as birth and the intrauterine period has a substantial impact on the composition of the baby’s gastrointestinal microbiota and its subsequent development. This study intends to measure pregnant women’s knowledge of the importance of microbiota for the health of the newborn. The sample was selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The assessment of women’s knowledge was assessed by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Kruskal–Wallis statistical tests. This study population comprised 291 adult pregnant women with a mean age of 28.4 ± 4.7 years. A total of 34% (n = 99), 35% (n = 101), and 31.3% (n = 91) were at the 1–3 trimester, respectively. The results showed that 36.4% of the women were aware that the intrauterine period changes the makeup of the gastrointestinal microbiota, whereas 5.8% exhibited awareness of the composition of the child’s normal gut microbiota. Most of the women surveyed—(72.1%)—know that colonization of the tract occurs as early as the birth period. Women with student status (those who will pursue higher education in the future) and those who had given birth to the most children exhibited higher levels of knowledge.

Multidrug resistant Enterococci as a community acquired infection in diarrheal cases of children

“…Treatment of enterococcal infections is difficult due to their ability to acquire resistance as well as innate resistance to several antimicrobials [20]. Previously thought to be benign intestinal commensals with little clinical importance, Enterococci has developed into a significant nosocomial pathogen [2].…”

“…After birth, Enterococci are the first bacteria to enter the neonate's gastrointestinal tract. They can also enter through a mother's breast milk or intimate touch [2]. Even though Enterococcus spp.…”