Evidence of low quality suggests that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC stage II or III in preterm infants without adverse effects .
BACKGROUND Lactoferrin , a normal component of human colostrum and milk , can enhance host defenses and may be effective for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in preterm neonates .
To assess the safety and effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds for prevention of sepsis and NEC in preterm neonates Secondary objectives 1 .
To determine the effects of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds to prevent neonatal sepsis and /or NEC on duration of positive-pressure ventilation , development of chronic lung disease ( CLD ) or periventricular leukomalacia ( PVL ) , length of hospital stay to discharge among survivors , and adverse neurological outcomes at two years of age or later2 .
To determine the adverse effects of lactoferrin supplementation for prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis and /or NECWhen data were available , we analyzed the following subgroups.1 .
Gestational age < 32 weeks and 32 to 36 weeks2 .
Type of feeding : breast milk versus formula milk SEARCH METHODS : We used the search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group ( CNRG ) to up date our search in December 2016 .
The Lacuna Trial: a double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial of lactoferrin supplementation in the very preterm infant
Objective : To determine tolerability of bovine lactoferrin ( bLF ) in very preterm infants , and whether the intervention can be adequately masked . Study Design : In a single-center masked pilot trial infants under 31 weeks gestation were r and omized before 48 h of age to receive milk with 100 mg per day of bLF or control . The primary outcome was feeding tolerance , defined as time to achieve full feeds ( 140 ml kg−1 per day ) . Parents answered a short question naire regarding acceptability of the intervention . Results : Seventy-nine infants were enrolled and analyzed according to intention to treat . There was no effect of bLF  on the primary outcome . In addition , mortality , late onset sepsis and other complications of prematurity were no different . Equal numbers of parents in both groups believed their infant received bLF . Conclusion : We demonstrated that bLF is well tolerated , easy to administer and its presence in prepared milk is not evident . Trial registration number IS RCT N66482337
Evidence of low quality suggests that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC stage II or III in preterm infants without adverse effects .
BACKGROUND Lactoferrin , a normal component of human colostrum and milk , can enhance host defenses and may be effective for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in preterm neonates .
To assess the safety and effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds for prevention of sepsis and NEC in preterm neonates Secondary objectives 1 .
To determine the effects of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds to prevent neonatal sepsis and /or NEC on duration of positive-pressure ventilation , development of chronic lung disease ( CLD ) or periventricular leukomalacia ( PVL ) , length of hospital stay to discharge among survivors , and adverse neurological outcomes at two years of age or later2 .
To determine the adverse effects of lactoferrin supplementation for prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis and /or NECWhen data were available , we analyzed the following subgroups.1 .
Gestational age < 32 weeks and 32 to 36 weeks2 .
Type of feeding : breast milk versus formula milk SEARCH METHODS : We used the search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group ( CNRG ) to up date our search in December 2016 .