Study: Preemies Have More Dangerous Microbes Compared to Full-Terms
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
What could be lurking inside your preemie’s tummy? Dangerous microbes (bacteria, viruses or parasites) that can pose serious health risks should they enter your child’s blood stream.
The Study
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center and Nicholas School of the Environment sought out to find what microbes types are housed in premature babies’ digestive systems.
The study worked with 11 premature babies, all of which were given antibiotics after birth to fight-off infection.
Findings
After the babies were off the antibiotics, researchers expected healthier bacteria to appear in the babies’ guts, but found that this didn’t happen immediately.
The lack of healthier bacteria is probably why preemies are more susceptible to infections compared to their full-term counterparts.
Conclusion
A logical conclusion may be to wipe-out bad bacteria all together. But before you decide to go all Rambo on the ominous microbes, babies do need them.
Dr. Patrick Seed, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics in Duke University, said that particular types of microbes are necessary for the babies’ digestive development. This includes both good and bad.
To introduce healthier bacteria, a solution is to give babies probiotic (live microorganisms that restore balance in the gut) supplements. Of course, before doing this, consult your pediatrician.
Photo:Creative Commons from CdePaz
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