Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been detected in newborns within hours of birth, according to a study presented at ESCMID Global 2026. Researchers analyzed meconium samples from 105 infants, screening for 56 resistance genes associated with common antibiotics.
The most frequently identified genes, oqxA and qnrS, were present in 98% and 96% of samples, respectively. The study also found beta-lactamase genes, which degrade widely used antibiotics, and genes tied to carbapenem resistance in 21% of samples. Each sample averaged eight resistance genes.
Lead author Argyro Ftergioti noted that the collection of ARGs is primarily shaped by maternal transmission, delivery mode, and early hospital exposures. The presence of these genes so early in life is concerning, suggesting a well-established resistome in the neonatal gut.
The study linked the msrA gene to maternal hospitalization during pregnancy and a higher number of resistance genes to central venous catheter placement in newborns. These findings emphasize the impact of healthcare-associated microbes in hospital settings.
Researchers suggest that both maternal transmissions and early hospital exposure contribute to the establishment of ARGs in the neonatal gut. The findings underscore the critical importance of surveillance, infection prevention, and control in neonatal care.