Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

[Prophylactic probiotics for preterm infants reduces mortality]

Jesper Brok1, Ole Pryds, Birgitte Smith

  • 1Pædiatrisk Afdeling, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark. jesperb5@hotmail.com

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|February 15, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prophylactic probiotics significantly reduce mortality and necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants. However, clinical use is limited due to unclear mechanisms and safety concerns, despite strong evidence.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Microbiome research
  • Clinical trial design

Context:

  • Meta-analyses demonstrate significant benefits of prophylactic probiotics for preterm infants, including reduced mortality and necrotising enterocolitis.
  • Clinical implementation remains low due to a lack of understanding regarding the beneficial mechanisms.
  • Concerns persist regarding safety, long-term effects, and optimal probiotic regimens for preterm neonates.

Purpose:

  • To address the reluctance of clinicians to adopt prophylactic probiotics in preterm infants.
  • To highlight the ongoing ethical dilemma surrounding current randomized trials on probiotics versus placebo.
  • To underscore the gap between robust evidence and clinical practice.

Summary:

  • Prophylactic probiotics show significant efficacy in reducing mortality and necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants.
  • Clinician hesitancy stems from poorly understood mechanisms, safety concerns, and undefined optimal treatment protocols.
  • Limited adoption is observed globally, with ongoing trials facing ethical considerations regarding their continuation.

Impact:

  • The findings highlight the need for further research into probiotic mechanisms and long-term safety in neonates.
  • Addressing clinical concerns could facilitate wider adoption of evidence-based probiotic interventions.
  • Resolution of ethical dilemmas in ongoing trials is crucial for advancing clinical guidelines.

More Related Videos

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets01:17

Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...