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Do oral probiotics affect growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low-birth-weight preterm infants?

Fatma Nur Sari1, Zeynep Eras, Evrim Alyamac Dizdar

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. fatmanurselek@yahoo.com

American Journal of Perinatology
|May 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Oral probiotics given to very low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) did not impact growth or neurodevelopmental outcomes by 18 to 22 months corrected age.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Pediatric nutrition
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition affecting very low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants.
  • Oral probiotics are explored as a preventative measure for NEC.
  • Long-term effects of probiotic supplementation on VLBW infants require evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of oral probiotics on growth and neurodevelopment in VLBW preterm infants.
  • To determine if probiotic supplementation influences neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months corrected age.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of early oral probiotic administration for NEC prevention and its long-term outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of VLBW infants from a randomized controlled trial.
  • Growth parameters (weight, length, head circumference) were measured.
  • Cognitive and neuromotor development assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II.
  • Sensory and neurological performance evaluated using standard techniques.

Main Results:

  • 174 VLBW infants (86 probiotics, 88 control) were evaluated at 18-22 months corrected age.
  • No significant differences observed in growth parameters between probiotic and control groups.
  • No significant differences found in cognitive, neuromotor, sensory, or neurological outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Early oral probiotic administration to VLBW infants for NEC prevention did not alter growth outcomes.
  • Probiotic supplementation did not affect neuromotor, neurosensory, or cognitive development at 18-22 months corrected age.
  • Findings suggest no long-term benefit of this probiotic regimen on neurodevelopmental trajectories in VLBW infants.
Abstract

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