Current evidence from systematic review and meta- analysis revealed that probiotics are the most promising intervention in reduction of the incidence of NEC in VLBW neonates .
As per the evidence , prebiotics modulate the composition of human intestine microflora to the benefit of the host by suppression of colonization of harmful microorganism and /or the stimulation of bifidobacterial growth , decreased stool viscosity , reduced gastrointestinal transit time , and better feed tolerance .
Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is one of the most serious gastrointestinal emergencies in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) preterm neonates , affecting 7 - 14 % of these neonates .
Due to the seriousness of the disease , prevention of NEC is the most important goal .
The Effect of Neutral Oligosaccharides on Reducing the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Background : Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is one of the most destructive diseases associated with conditions of neonatal prematurity . Supplementation with enteral prebiotics may reduce the incidence of NEC , especially in infants who fed exclusively with breast-milk . Therefore , we compared the efficacy and safety of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture ( short chain galacto-oligosaccharides/long chain fructo-oligosaccharides [ SCGOS/LCFOS ] ) versus no intervention on incidence of NEC in preterm infants . Methods : In a single-center r and omized control trial 75 preterm infants ( birth weight [ BW ] ≤1500 g , gestational age ≤34 weeks and were not fed with formula ) on 30 ml/kg/day volume of breast-milk were r and omly allocated to have enteral supplementation with a prebiotic mixture ( SCGOS/LCFOS ; 9:1 ) or not receive any prebiotic . The incidence of suspected NEC , feeding intolerance , time to full enteral feeds , duration of hospitalization were investigated . Results : Differences in demographic characteristics were not statistically important . SCGOS/LCFOS mixture significantly reduced the incidence of suspected NEC , ( 1 [ 4.0 % ] vs. 11 [ 22.0 % ] ; hazard ratio : 0.49 [ 95 % confidence interval : 0.29 - 0.84 ] ; P = 0.002 ) , and time to full enteral feeds ( 11 [ 7 - 21 ] vs. 14 [ 8 - 36 ] days ; P - 0.02 ] . Also duration of hospitalization was meaningfully shorter in the prebiotic group ( 16 [ 9 - 45 ] vs. 25 [ 11 - 80 ] ; P - 0.004 ] . Prebiotic oligosaccharides were well tolerated by very low BW ( VLBW ) infants . Conclusions : Enteral supplementation with prebiotic significantly reduced the incidence of NEC in VLBW infants who were fed exclusively breast-milk . This finding suggests that it might have been the complete removal of formula which caused a synergistic effect between nonhuman neutral oligosaccharides ( prebiotic ) and human oligosaccharides
Current evidence from systematic review and meta- analysis revealed that probiotics are the most promising intervention in reduction of the incidence of NEC in VLBW neonates .
As per the evidence , prebiotics modulate the composition of human intestine microflora to the benefit of the host by suppression of colonization of harmful microorganism and /or the stimulation of bifidobacterial growth , decreased stool viscosity , reduced gastrointestinal transit time , and better feed tolerance .
Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is one of the most serious gastrointestinal emergencies in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) preterm neonates , affecting 7 - 14 % of these neonates .
Due to the seriousness of the disease , prevention of NEC is the most important goal .