LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of organisms and dosing regimens studied prevent a species-specific treatment recommendation from being made .
CONCLUSIONS Preterm infants benefit from probiotics to prevent severe NEC and death
CONTEXT Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in neonates .
The microbiome of the preterm gut may regulate the integrity of the intestinal mucosa .
Probiotics may positively contribute to mucosal integrity , potentially reducing the risk of NEC in neonates .
OBJECTIVE To perform an up date d systematic review and meta- analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants .
Early administration of Bifidobacterium breve to preterm infants: randomised controlled trial
AIM To investigate the colonisation withBifidobacterium breve of the bowels of very low birthweight ( VLBW ) infants . METHODS The adverse effects of B breve were examined in 66 VLBW infants ( preliminary study ) . A prospect i ve r and omised clinical study of 91 VLBW infants was also completed and these infants were followed up for three years . Precise viable bacterial counts of serial stool specimens were examined for the first eight weeks after birth in 10 infants . The colonisation rates of administered bacteria were examined using immunohistochemical staining of stool specimens with a B breve specific monoclonal antibody . RESULTS In the preliminary study there were no side effects attributable to the bacteria . Immunohistochemical staining of stool specimens showed that the colonisation rates of the administered bacteria were 73 % at 2 weeks of age , but only 12 % in the control group . Early administration of B brevesignificantly decreased aspirated air volume from the stomach and improved weight gain . CONCLUSIONS B breve can colonise the immature bowel very effectively and is associated with fewer abnormal abdominal signs and better weight gain in VLBW infants , probably as a result of stabilisation of their intestinal flora and accelerated feeding schedules
LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of organisms and dosing regimens studied prevent a species-specific treatment recommendation from being made .
CONCLUSIONS Preterm infants benefit from probiotics to prevent severe NEC and death
CONTEXT Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in neonates .
The microbiome of the preterm gut may regulate the integrity of the intestinal mucosa .
Probiotics may positively contribute to mucosal integrity , potentially reducing the risk of NEC in neonates .
OBJECTIVE To perform an up date d systematic review and meta- analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants .