Abstract
This paper presents a new approach to the study of the colonization of the digest ive tract after birth. We have followed the development of four s.c. microflora-associated-characteristics, MACs to create a basis for later investigations into the impact of diarrheal diseases and antibiotic therapy. The following biochemical characteristics were studied in feces from 53 children of 0-61 months of age: conver sion of cholesterol to coprostanol and bilirubin to uro bilins, inactivation of trypsin and breakdown of mucin. Our investigation indicates the establishment of microorganisms able to convert bilirubin to urobilins within the second year of life. The mucin degrading and cholesterol converting microbes are established in most of the children during the same period. Tryptic activity was found to be absent in meconium, present in feces from all children up to 21 months of age and absent in half the children at 46-61 months of age and adults. This study indicates that the establishment of MACs in the digestive tract is a remarkably long drawn out process.
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Lindblad, B., Norin, K., Gustafsson, B. et al. Establishment of some microflora associated biochemical characteristics of feces during the first years of life. Pediatr Res 18, 800 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198408000-00056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198408000-00056