Enteral supplementation of probiotics prevents severe NEC and all cause mortality in preterm infants .
There is insufficient data with regard to the benefits and potential adverse effects in the most at risk infants weighing less than 1000 grams at birth
BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) and nosocomial sepsis are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants .
Through prevention of bacterial migration across the mucosa , competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria , and enhancing the immune responses of the host , prophylactic enteral probiotics ( live microbial supplements ) may play a role in reducing NEC and the associated morbidity .
OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of prophylactic enteral probiotics administration versus placebo or no treatment in the prevention of severe NEC or sepsis , or both , in preterm infants .
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is a serious disease that affects the bowel of premature infants in the first few weeks of life .
Although the cause of NEC is not entirely known , milk feeding and bacterial growth play a role .
Probiotics ( dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast ) have been used to prevent NEC .
The effect of a bifidobacter supplemented bovine milk on intestinal permeability of preterm infants.
BACKGROUND Preterm infants have increased intestinal permeability which can render them susceptible to infections from enterobacteriae . OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to investigate whether probiotic administration to preterm infants decreases intestinal permeability . Secondary outcomes studied were : somatic growth , tolerance , rates of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis . METHODS In a prospect i ve r and omized case-control study 41 stable preterm infants of 27 to 36 weeks gestation and 34 matched comparison infants consecutively admitted to the neonatal unit were studied . The study group received a preterm formula supplemented with Bifidobacter lactis ( 2 x 10(7 ) cfu/g of dry milk ) while the control group received the same formula but without supplementation .  Intestinal permeability was measured within two days of birth and then seven and thirty days later using the sugar absorption test . Additionally anthropometric parameters were recorded throughout the study as well as acceptance and tolerance of the formula . RESULTS All infants tolerated the study formula well . Median counts of stool bifidobacteria and lactulose/mannitol ratios at baseline were comparable . After 7 days of supplementation median bifidobacteria counts were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group ( p=0.0356 ) and they remained higher to the end of the study ( p at day 30=0.075 ) . The L/M ratio in the study group was significantly lower at day 30 of the study as compared to the control group ( p=0.003 ) . Head growth was significantly higher in the study group ( p=0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS The administration of a bifidobacter supplemented infant formula decreases intestinal permeability of preterm infants and leads to increased head growth
Enteral supplementation of probiotics prevents severe NEC and all cause mortality in preterm infants .
There is insufficient data with regard to the benefits and potential adverse effects in the most at risk infants weighing less than 1000 grams at birth
BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) and nosocomial sepsis are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants .
Through prevention of bacterial migration across the mucosa , competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria , and enhancing the immune responses of the host , prophylactic enteral probiotics ( live microbial supplements ) may play a role in reducing NEC and the associated morbidity .
OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of prophylactic enteral probiotics administration versus placebo or no treatment in the prevention of severe NEC or sepsis , or both , in preterm infants .
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is a serious disease that affects the bowel of premature infants in the first few weeks of life .
Although the cause of NEC is not entirely known , milk feeding and bacterial growth play a role .
Probiotics ( dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast ) have been used to prevent NEC .