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10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Oral supplementation with probiotics in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants: a randomized, double-blind,

Carole Rougé1, Hugues Piloquet, Marie-José Butel

  • 1INRA UMR 1280, Physiologie des Adaptations Nutritionnelles, INRA and University of Nantes, Human Nutrition Research Center, Nantes, France.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplementation did not improve enteral feeding tolerance in very low birth weight infants. However, it may benefit those weighing over 1000g by accelerating full enteral feeding. Safety and efficacy remain key considerations.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Probiotic use in premature infants is suggested to improve intestinal function, but mechanisms and safety in extremely low-birth-weight infants are not well understood.
  • Enteral feeding tolerance is crucial for preterm infant development and requires careful management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of probiotics in enhancing digestive tolerance to enteral feeding in preterm infants with very low or extremely low birth weight.

Main Methods:

  • A bicentric, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 94 preterm infants (45 probiotics, 49 placebo).
  • Probiotics administered were Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (BB536-LGG).
  • Primary endpoint: percentage of infants receiving >50% nutritional needs via enteral feeding by day 14; sequential analysis used.

Main Results:

  • The trial was stopped early due to a lack of significant effect on the primary endpoint (57.8% probiotic vs. 57.1% placebo, P=0.95).
  • Infants weighing >1000g showed a shorter time to reach full enteral feeding with probiotics (P=0.04).
  • No significant changes in intestinal microbiota composition or fecal calprotectin were observed; probiotic strain colonization was absent in infants < or =1000g.

Conclusions:

  • BB536-LGG supplementation may not enhance gastrointestinal tolerance to enteral feeding in very-low-birth-weight infants.
  • A potential benefit was observed in infants weighing >1000g, with improved gastrointestinal tolerance.
  • Further research may be needed to clarify specific benefits and safety profiles in different preterm infant subgroups.
Abstract

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