Which of the Following Statements is TRUE

Question

Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A)Newborn babies do not have a microbiota because they are washed with antiseptics at birth.
B)Babies born by caesarean versus a natural birth are more likely to acquire infection from the mother.
C)A newborn baby does not have an intestinal microbiota as long as it is breastfed.
D)The human foetus while it is growing in the uterus contains the same microbiota as the mother.
E)None of the above.

Accepted Answer

All the statements provided are incorrect based on current scientific understanding. Newborn babies do have a microbiota, which starts to develop at birth and is influenced by the mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and the environment. Babies born by caesarean section have different initial microbiota compared to those born vaginally, not necessarily more likely to acquire infection from the mother. Breastfeeding actually helps in the development of a healthy intestinal microbiota in newborns. The human fetus is considered to be in a sterile environment, and while there is some evidence suggesting the presence of a microbiome in the placenta, it is not the same as the mother's microbiota.