Antibiotic resistance genes found in newborns within hours of birth, study shows

A recent study reported via EurekAlert shows that antimicrobial resistance begins far earlier than previously assumed, with newborns already carrying a diverse set of antibiotic resistance genes within hours of birth. By analysing meconium samples from 105 neonatal ICU infants, researchers detected a high prevalence of resistance genes—including those against beta-lactams and even last-line carbapenems—with each infant harbouring a median of around eight genes. These findings suggest that the neonatal gut resistome is established immediately, likely driven by maternal transmission, mode of delivery, and early hospital exposure, fundamentally challenging the notion of a “clean” microbiological start at birth and underscoring the need for targeted infection prevention, surveillance, and a One Health approach spanning pregnancy through early-life care.