Enteral supplementation of probiotics prevents severe NEC and all cause mortality in preterm infants .
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 .
Oral Probiotics Reduce the Incidence and Severity of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Objective . We evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in reducing the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) infants . Patients and Methods . A prospect i ve , masked , r and omized control trial was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of probiotics in reducing the incidence and severity of NEC among VLBW ( < 1500 g ) infants . VLBW infants who started to fed enterally and survived beyond the seventh day after birth were eligible for the trial . They were r and omized into 2 groups after parental informed consents were obtained . The infants in the study group were fed with Infloran ( Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis ) with breast milk twice daily until discharged . Infants in the control group were fed with breast milk alone . The clinicians caring for the infants were blinded to the group assignment . The primary outcome was death or NEC ( ≥ stage 2 ) . Results . Three hundred sixty-seven infants were enrolled : 180 in the study group and 187 in the control group . The demographic and clinical variables were similar in both groups . The incidence of death or NEC ( ≥ stage 2 ) was significantly lower in the study group ( 9 of 180 vs 24 of 187 ) . The incidence of NEC ( ≥ stage 2 ) was also significantly lower in the study when compared with the control group ( 2 of 180 vs 10 of 187 ) . There were 6 cases of severe NEC ( Bell stage 3 ) in the control group and none in the study group . None of the positive blood culture grew Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species . Conclusion . Infloran as probiotics fed enterally with breast milk reduces the incidence and severity of NEC in VLBW infants
Enteral supplementation of probiotics prevents severe NEC and all cause mortality in preterm infants .
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 .