The problem of systematic bacteriological examinations carried out early in premature infants
Sénécal, J.; Fabiani, G.; Cormier, M.; Fauconnier, B.; Bracq, M.
Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction 4(1): 99-116
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-2315 PMID: 1230480 Document Number: 91052
Systematic bacteriological examinations of samples taken from the pharynges, the gastric juices and the meconium or the ano-rectal regions were carried out on 300 premature babies immediately on their admission to hospital. These examinations, which consisted in direct microscopic examination and in culturing the specimens, showed that usually a normal microbial flora was established in the mucous membranes of the digestive tracts but there were also abnormalities caused by contamination. There is therefore a limited but real value in the tests when they reveal massive bacterial contamination by the presence of microbes that could be at this stage of life dangerous to a premature baby. The results of the tests then suggest the necessity for antibiotic therapy.