[Fecal flora in infants at the beginning and the end of hospitalization].

The feces of 52 children without diarrhea, aged from 5 days to 22 months, treated in the Department for various causes was investigated for the presence of that might be the cause of infectious diarrhea. Samples were taken at the beginning and the end of hospitalization. The results were analyzed with reference to 5 age subgroups (1 month, 2-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-12 months, 12-22 months) and duration of hospitalization (3-42 days). The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the feces was found in 87% of children without diarrhea, especially at the beginning of hospitalization, which suggests the possible existence of a "transient carrier state". Because of the immaturity of a number of intra-organism mechanisms, the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the alimentary tract in the youngest children, may be a potential danger of developing serious, even generalized disease processes and may constitute an important source of nosocomial infections.