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 .
Oral lactoferrin to prevent nosocomial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis of premature neonates and effect on T-regulatory cells.
OBJECTIVE Lactoferrin ( LF ) is effective in the prevention of sepsis in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) neonates .  T-regulatory cells ( Tregs ) are important subsets of T lymphocytes that control pathogen-specific immune responses and are essential for intestinal immune homoeostasis . The aim of the present study is to determine whether oral LF at a dosage of 200 mg/d reduces nosocomial sepsis episodes and necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in premature infants and to evaluate the possible effects of LF on Treg levels . STUDY DESIGN In this prospect i ve , placebo-controlled , double-blind , r and omized trial , infants either VLBW or born before 32 weeks were assigned to receive either placebo ( n = 25 ) , or 200 mg LF ( n = 25 ) daily throughout hospitalization . Episodes of culture proven nosocomial sepsis and NEC were recorded . The level of FOXP3 + CD4 + CD25hi lymphocytes was studied by flow cytometry at birth and discharge . A third comparison was made with healthy term neonates ( n = 16 ) . RESULTS Fewer sepsis episodes were observed in LF-treated infants ( 4.4 vs. 17.3/1,000 patient days , p = 0.007 ) with none developing NEC , without statistical significance . Treg levels at birth and discharge were similar , while preterm infants showed significantly lower levels than term controls . However , individual increases in Treg levels were higher in the LF group . CONCLUSION LF prophylaxis reduced nosocomial sepsis episodes . Treg levels in preterm infants were lower than in term infants and an increase of Treg levels under LF prophylaxis was observed . Increase in Treg levels can be the mechanism for protective effects of LF on nosocomial sepsis
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 .