Evidence of low quality suggests that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC stage II or III in preterm infants without adverse effects .
BACKGROUND Lactoferrin , a normal component of human colostrum and milk , can enhance host defenses and may be effective for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in preterm neonates .
To assess the safety and effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds for prevention of sepsis and NEC in preterm neonates Secondary objectives 1 .
To determine the effects of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds to prevent neonatal sepsis and /or NEC on duration of positive-pressure ventilation , development of chronic lung disease ( CLD ) or periventricular leukomalacia ( PVL ) , length of hospital stay to discharge among survivors , and adverse neurological outcomes at two years of age or later2 .
To determine the adverse effects of lactoferrin supplementation for prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis and /or NECWhen data were available , we analyzed the following subgroups.1 .
Gestational age < 32 weeks and 32 to 36 weeks2 .
Type of feeding : breast milk versus formula milk SEARCH METHODS : We used the search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group ( CNRG ) to up date our search in December 2016 .
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Study of Bovine Lactoferrin Supplementation in Bottle-fed Infants
Background : Lactoferrin has an array of biological activities that include growth , immune modulation , and antimicrobial effects . The aim of this r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind study was to examine the impact of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in infants . Patients and Methods : Healthy , formula-fed infants , ≥34 weeks ' gestation and ≤4 weeks of age , enrolled in a pediatric clinic . Infants received either formula supplemented with lactoferrin ( 850 mg/L ) or commercial cow milk – based formula ( 102 mg/L ) for 12 months . Growth parameters and information on gastrointestinal , respiratory , and colic illnesses were collected for the infants ' first year . Antibodies to immunizations and hematologic parameters were measured at 9 and 12 months . Results : The lactoferrin-enhanced formula was well tolerated . There were significantly fewer lower respiratory tract illnesses , primarily wheezing , in the 26 lactoferrin-fed ( 0.15 episodes/y ) compared with the 26 regular formula-fed ( 0.5 episodes/y ) infants ( P < 0.05 ) . Significantly higher hematocrit levels at 9 months ( 37.1 % vs 35.4 % ; P < 0.05 ) occurred in the lactoferrin-supplemented group compared with the control formula group . Conclusions : Lactoferrin supplementation was associated with potentially beneficial outcomes such as significantly fewer lower respiratory tract illnesses and higher hematocrits . Larger , more focused studies in infants are warranted
Evidence of low quality suggests that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC stage II or III in preterm infants without adverse effects .
BACKGROUND Lactoferrin , a normal component of human colostrum and milk , can enhance host defenses and may be effective for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in preterm neonates .
To assess the safety and effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds for prevention of sepsis and NEC in preterm neonates Secondary objectives 1 .
To determine the effects of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds to prevent neonatal sepsis and /or NEC on duration of positive-pressure ventilation , development of chronic lung disease ( CLD ) or periventricular leukomalacia ( PVL ) , length of hospital stay to discharge among survivors , and adverse neurological outcomes at two years of age or later2 .
To determine the adverse effects of lactoferrin supplementation for prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis and /or NECWhen data were available , we analyzed the following subgroups.1 .
Gestational age < 32 weeks and 32 to 36 weeks2 .
Type of feeding : breast milk versus formula milk SEARCH METHODS : We used the search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group ( CNRG ) to up date our search in December 2016 .