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 capacity of nondigestible carbohydrates to stimulate fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-response relation study.
BACKGROUND Nondigestible carbohydrates ( NDCHs ) are fermented in the colon , where they can selectively promote the growth of bifidobacteria . OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the bifidogenic potential of different NDCHs used in human diets . DESIGN Two hundred healthy volunteers participated in this double-blind study . During phase 1 ( screening ) , 64 volunteers were r and omly assigned to 8 groups of 8 subjects each ; for 7 d , they ingested 10 g/d of 1 of the 7 NDCHs tested or of the placebo . During phase 2 ( dose-response study ) , 136 volunteers were r and omly assigned to 4 groups of 32 subjects who received 2.5 , 5.0 , 7.5 , or 10 g/d , respectively ( 8 subjects/dose ) , of one of the NDCHs that were proven to be bifidogenic during phase 1 and a fifth group of 8 subjects ( control subjects ) who received the placebo .  Stools were recovered before and after NDCH consumption . RESULTS In phase 1 , 4 NDCHs were found to be bifidogenic : short-chain fructooligosaccharides ( P=0.008 ) , soybean oligosaccharides ( P=0.006 ) , galactooligosaccharides ( P < 0.0001 ) , and type III resistant starch ( P=0.02 ) ; lactulose , long-chain inulin , and isomaltooligosaccharides were not bifidogenic . In phase 2 , the effects of 7-d treatment on bifidobacteria concentrations were found to differ significantly among the 4 NDCHs ( P=0.009 for time x treatment interaction ) . However , no significant differences were found among doses , and there was no significant dose x time interaction . A low baseline bifidobacteria count was significantly associated with the bifidogenic response to treatment ( P < 0.001 ) . CONCLUSION This study showed the different bifidogenic properties among the substrates and underlined the importance of taking into account the baseline bifidobacteria counts when evaluating the effect of the treatment
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 .