The Establishment of Some Microflora Associated Biochemical Characteristics in Feces from Children during the First Years of Life

Abstract

The development of 4 microflora associated characteristics, MAC, defined as the recording of any anatomical structure, biochemical or physiological function in the macroorganism, which was influenced by the microflora were examined. These MAC may create a basis for later investigations into the impact of diarrheal diseases and antibiotic therapy. The following biochemical characteristics were studied in feces from children of 0-61 mo. of age: conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and bilirubin to urobilins, inactivation of trypsin and degradation of mucin. Establishment of microbes capable of converting bilirubin to urobilins within the 2nd yr of life are indicated. The mucin degrading and cholesterol converting microbes were established in most of the children during the same period. Tryptic activity was found to be absent in meconium, present in feces from all children up to 21 mo. of age, and absent in 6 out of 15 children in the age group 46-61 mo. The establishment of the MAC in the digestive tract is a remarkably long drawn out process.