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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Routine probiotic use in very preterm infants: retrospective comparison of two cohorts

Francesco Bonsante1, Silvia Iacobelli, Jean-Bernard Gouyon

  • 1NICU, Department of Paediatrics, University of Dijon, France. fbonsante@yahoo.com

American Journal of Perinatology
|July 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo) significantly reduced necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), mortality, and late-onset sepsis in very low-birth-weight infants. The probiotic was well-tolerated and improved feeding times.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant concern in very low-birth-weight infants.
  • Probiotics have shown promise in reducing NEC, but routine use remains debated.
  • A specific probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo), has been used as standard care in preterm infants since 2008.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo) in reducing NEC and other morbidities in preterm infants.
  • To compare outcomes in a cohort of infants receiving probiotics with a historical control group.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study comparing infants receiving Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo) (2 × 10^8 colony-forming units/12 h) with a historical cohort.
  • Treatment was initiated early post-birth and continued up to 36 weeks' gestation.
  • Primary outcome was definite NEC; secondary outcomes included mortality, late-onset sepsis (LOS), cholestasis, isolated rectal bleeding (IRB), and time to full enteral feeding (FEF).

Main Results:

  • A total of 1130 infants were included; no adverse effects were reported.
  • The probiotic cohort (PC) showed significantly reduced rates of NEC (OR 0.20), mortality (OR 0.46), and LOS (OR 0.60).
  • Infants in the PC group achieved full enteral feeding (FEF) earlier, and isolated rectal bleeding (IRB) was significantly reduced with complete treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo) administration was well-tolerated in preterm infants.
  • The probiotic was associated with lower rates of mortality and morbidities, including NEC, LOS, and IRB.
  • Results support the use of this specific probiotic strain to improve outcomes in very low-birth-weight infants.
Abstract

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