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 .
Term Infants Fed Formula Supplemented With Selected Blends of Prebiotics Grow Normally and Have Soft Stools Similar to Those Reported for Breast-fed Infants
Objectives : The present study was design ed to evaluate the effect of 2 different combinations of prebiotic ingredients , polydextrose ( PDX ) , galactooligosaccharides ( GOS ) , and lactulose ( LOS ) , at 2 different intake levels on the overall growth and tolerance in healthy term infants up to 120 days of age . Patients and Methods : Healthy , formula-fed , term infants ( n = 226 ) were r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 study formula groups : control group ( n = 76 ) , PG4 group ( control formula supplemented with 4 g/L of a prebiotic blend , n = 74 ) , or PGL8 group ( control formula supplemented with 8 g/L of a prebiotic blend , n = 76 ) . Anthropometric measurements were taken at 14 , 30 , 60 , 90 , and 120 days of age , and 24-hour dietary recall and 24-hour tolerance recall were recorded at 30 , 60 , 90 , and 120 days of age . Adverse events were recorded throughout the study . Results : There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 formula groups for weight growth rate or length growth rate at any time point . Significant differences in stool consistency were detected among the 3 formula groups at 30 , 60 , and 90 days of age ( P < 0.001 , P = 0.025 , P = 0.004 , respectively ) , with the supplemented formula groups having looser stools than the control group . The PGL8 group had significantly higher stool frequency compared with the control and PG4 groups at 30 days of age ( P = 0.021 and P = 0.017 , respectively ) , but all of the groups were similar at 60 , 90 , and 120 days of age . A statistical difference was detected among the formula groups in 3 categories of adverse events : diarrhea ( control vs PG4 , 4 % vs 18 % , P = 0.008 ) , eczema ( PG4 vs control , 18 % vs 7 % , P = 0.046 ; PG4 vs PGL8 , 18 % vs 4 % , P = 0.008 ) , and irritability ( control vs PGL8 , 4 % vs 16 % , P = 0.027 ) . Conclusions : Infants fed formula supplemented with a prebiotic mixture achieved normal growth and stool characteristics more similar to those of breast-fed infants in comparison with infants fed an unsupplemented formula . A pediatrician needs to consider the risk of possible intolerance against the benefits of prebiotics
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 .