Quantitative and qualitative study of intestinal flora in neonates

ackground: In the neonatal period the developing intestinal barrier function provides a sub-optimal mucosal defense against infection. Establishment of the normal commensal micro-flora plays a vital role in this process. Aims: To determine aerobic and anaerobic bacteria by quantitative and qualitative methods from faecal samples of neonates. Settings and Design: A prospective study was carried out in two groups in a tertiary care hospital, Group A-comprised preterm infant and in group B-full term infants. Materials and Methods: Sixty two preterm infants with the weight Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed by using EPIINFO-Ver 6.04. Results and Conclusions: The predominant aerobic bacterium was Klebsiella pneumoniae . In pre term infants aerobic bacteria were colonized with an average of 2.1 and anaerobic bacteria 0.1. Quantitation showed faecal bacterial colony count ranging from 10 4 -10 13 CFU/gms. Gram negative and gram positive bacteria increased gradually over an interval of 2 to 3 weeks. Mean log CFU of gram negative bacteria and gram positive bacteria were statistically insignificant from day 3 to day 14 ( P > 0.05). On day 21 there was a significant change in colonization of both bacterial sp ( P < 0.05). Potential pathogenic aerobic bacteria dominate the intestinal flora of premature babies nursed in neonatal unit. There is a need to investigate interventions to offset this imbalance in gut micro-ecology of premature babies.