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Establishment of intestinal microbial functions at birth: bilirubin and bacteria
Author(s) -
Midtvedt T
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2001.tb00248.x
Subject(s) - bilirubin , bile pigments , medicine , physiology , metabolism , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , genetics
At birth, several “cross‐talks” are rapidly established between the child and its developing microflora. Bile pigments and bile acids represent host‐derived compounds that are acted upon by this microflora, thereby creating possibilities for several cross‐talks of both physiological and pathophysiological importance. The major aim of this article was to characterize and quantitate individually the bilirubin pigments by newly developed methods. The results clearly demonstrate that quantitative and qualitative alterations in bilirubin metabolism occur shortly after birth. Conclusion : It is hoped that the methodological improvements will create new interest in bilirubin and its metabolism in early infancy.