I'm in a heated debate on reddit. Lol

[Jodiekee]

Arent you born with clostridiom difficile in your gut? My sons pediatrician said most babies are born with it. A lot of things I've read said most babies are born with it. People on reddit said no way, that I'm incorrect. Am i?

[roy]

Not total accurate to say a baby is born with it.
Babies guts are sterile before mom's waters break.
They pick up flora from the birth canal during labor and that includes C.Diff because its a very common bacteria.
75% of the normal flora species are picked up during birth and stay with us for life
The other 25% are picked up during the first 2 years of life and those eliminate the bad flora.

Very often a midwife will "annoint" a C Section baby with its mom's birth canal secretions!

[Jodiekee]

Thank you so much. I didn't know about the birth canal thing, but I was pretty sure most people have c diff in their gut already and it only becomes a problem if there's an overgrowth. Reddit is insane. Lol

[roy]

All C.Diff picked up during birth is eliminated by 2yo.
It does not stay for life.
1 in 20 people carry C. Diff and it does not cause harm so that's far from "most"
Also it's usually transient so today's carrier might not carry it next time they are tested.
Same goes the other way around.
Someone negative today might carry it next time.
That's why testing without symptoms is unwise!