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Probiotics-supplemented feeding in extremely low-birth-weight infants

M Al-Hosni1, M Duenas, M Hawk

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA. alhosnim@slu.edu

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|May 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic-supplemented feeding in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants improved growth velocity but did not reduce the percentage of infants with growth delay. No adverse events were reported in this randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition and growth
  • Probiotic supplementation in infants
  • Extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant care

Background:

  • Extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants are at high risk for growth delay and feeding intolerance.
  • Probiotics are being investigated for their potential to improve gut health and growth in vulnerable infant populations.
  • Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the efficacy of probiotics in ELBW infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if probiotic-supplemented enteral feeding improves growth in ELBW infants by reducing the percentage of infants below the 10th percentile weight at 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).
  • To evaluate the impact of probiotics on feeding tolerance, including daily feeding volumes.
  • To assess the effect of probiotics on the duration of antimicrobial treatment within the first 28 days.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical study.
  • Participants received either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium infantis (probiotic-supplementation group) or unsupplemented enteral feedings (control group).
  • Infant weights, feeding volumes, and antimicrobial treatment days were monitored daily for 28 days; weights were also recorded at 34 weeks PMA.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference was observed in the percentage of infants with weight below the 10th percentile at 34 weeks PMA between the probiotic (58%) and control (60%) groups (P=0.83).
  • The probiotic group showed a higher calculated growth velocity (14.9 g/day) compared to the control group (12.6 g/day) (P=0.05).
  • Feeding volumes and incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality were similar between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic supplementation enhanced growth velocity in ELBW infants but did not improve the primary outcome of reducing the percentage of infants with growth delay at 34 weeks PMA.
  • The study found no significant differences in feeding tolerance or NEC between the groups.
  • No probiotic-related adverse events were reported, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Abstract

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