: Probiotic supplementation reduces the risk of LOS in preterm infants
CONTEXT : Late-onset sepsis ( LOS ) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants .
Despite various preventive measures , its incidence continues to remain high , hence the urgent need for additional approaches .
One such potential strategy is supplementation with probiotics .
Currently there are > 30 r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) of probiotics in preterm infants that have reported on LOS .
Bifidobacterium and enteral feeding in preterm infants: Cluster-randomized trial
Background This study evaluated the benefit of Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 ( B. bifidum ) in very low-birthweight ( VLBW ) infants ( birthweight < 1500 g ) for the acceleration of enteral feeding . Methods A cluster-r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 19 hospitals , divided into two groups : the B group ( n = 10 hospitals ; B. bifidum given to infants within 48 h of birth ) and the P group ( n = 9 hospitals ; infants received a placebo ) . The primary outcome was establishment of enteral feeding after birth , defined as the postnatal day at which enteral feeding exceeded 100 mL/(kg/day ) . Secondary outcomes were defined as incidence of morbidity and somatic growth before discharge . Results Overall , 283 VLBW infants were enrolled in the study : B group , n = 153 ; and P group , n = 130 . Enteral feeding was established within 21 days after birth in 233 infants , of whom 119 received B. bifidum and 114 received placebo until their bodyweight reached 2000 g. Enteral feeding was established significantly earlier in the B group , at 11.0 ± 3.6 days versus 12.1 ± 3.8days in P group ( P < 0.05 ) . Infant growth during the stay in the neonatal intensive care unit was not different between groups , but the incidence of late-onset sepsis among all enrolled infants was significantly lower in the B group ( 3.9 % , 6/153 ) than in the P group ( 10.0 % , 13/130 ; P < 0.05 ) . No differences were observed in the incidence of other adverse outcomes including mortality . Conclusions B. bifidum in VLBW infants accelerated the establishment of enteral feeding after birth without increasing the incidence of adverse effects
: Probiotic supplementation reduces the risk of LOS in preterm infants
CONTEXT : Late-onset sepsis ( LOS ) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants .
Despite various preventive measures , its incidence continues to remain high , hence the urgent need for additional approaches .
One such potential strategy is supplementation with probiotics .
Currently there are > 30 r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) of probiotics in preterm infants that have reported on LOS .