Establishment of intestinal microbial functions at birth: bilirubin and bacteria.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
It is hoped that the methodological improvements will create new interest in bilirubin and its metabolism in early infancy.
Laboratory of Medical Microbial Ecology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. tore.midtvedt@cmb.ki.se
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D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*
D001663:Bilirubin