ABSTRACT
COLONIZATION OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANES, GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, AND SKIN IN THE NORMAL INFANT The developing fetus is protected from the bacterial flora of the maternal genital tract. Initial colonization of the newborn and of the placenta usually occurs after rupture of the maternal membranes. During a vaginal delivery, the neonate is exposed to the cervical birth canal flora, which includes many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.1,2
When appropriate cervical cultures are taken, at least 15 different bacterial strains can be recovered from them.3 The predominant aerobic bacteria present in this flora are staphylococci, diphtheroids, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, Gardnerella vaginalis, lactobacilli, and Escherichia coli. The anaerobic organisms most frequently isolated are the Bacteroides fragilis group, Prevotella bivia, Prevotella disiens, Propionibacterium acnes, peptostreptococci, pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas, clostridia, and lactobacilli.
