In the womb, a fetus enjoys the protection of a sterile environment. Only when the mother’s amniotic sac ruptures before delivery does her baby face microbes for the first time. As he’s squeezed through the birth canal, he picks up millions of bacteria from his mother. Most of the microbes are friendly and quickly take up residence on the baby’s skin and in his gastrointestinal tract.
The bacteria not only persist but also form complex communities throughout the newborn’s body that will aid in his general well-being throughout life. The body’s microbes play a critical role in digesting food, metabolizing drugs, and maintaining overall health.
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