Other benefits included fewer episodes of feed intolerance , better weight gain and growth velocity , decreased transition time from orogastric to breast feeds , and increased postpr and ial mesenteric flow .
There were no adverse effects of probiotic supplementation .
Probiotics reduced the time to full enteral feeds  in preterm neonates .
INTRODUCTION The optimization of enteral nutrition is a priority in preterm neonates worldwide .
Probiotics are known to improve gut maturity and function in preterm neonates .
To our knowledge , previous systematic review s have not adequately assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .
OBJECTIVE We assessed the evidence on effects of probiotics on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .
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
Other benefits included fewer episodes of feed intolerance , better weight gain and growth velocity , decreased transition time from orogastric to breast feeds , and increased postpr and ial mesenteric flow .
There were no adverse effects of probiotic supplementation .
Probiotics reduced the time to full enteral feeds  in preterm neonates .
INTRODUCTION The optimization of enteral nutrition is a priority in preterm neonates worldwide .
Probiotics are known to improve gut maturity and function in preterm neonates .
To our knowledge , previous systematic review s have not adequately assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .
OBJECTIVE We assessed the evidence on effects of probiotics on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .