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Cohort study of probiotics in a North American neonatal intensive care unit

Annie Janvier1, Josianne Malo1, Keith J Barrington1

  • 1Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|January 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Routine probiotic administration significantly reduced necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very preterm infants. This common probiotic intervention showed benefits without adverse effects on infection rates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal complication in preterm infants.
  • Probiotics have shown potential in preventing NEC, but evidence on specific formulations and routine use is ongoing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of routine probiotic administration in reducing NEC incidence in very preterm infants.
  • To assess for any adverse consequences, such as increased healthcare-associated infections.

Main Methods:

  • A probiotic mixture (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) was administered daily to infants <32 weeks gestation.
  • A comparison was made between infants receiving probiotics and a historical control group over two 17-month periods.

Main Results:

  • Probiotic use was associated with a significant reduction in NEC incidence (9.8% to 5.4%, P < .02).
  • A significant decrease was observed in the combined outcome of death or NEC (17% to 10.5%, P < .05).
  • No significant effect on healthcare-associated infection rates was found.

Conclusions:

  • Readily available probiotics, similar to those used in trials, substantially reduced NEC frequency in a neonatal intensive care unit.
  • Routine probiotic administration is a viable strategy for preventing NEC in very preterm infants.
Abstract

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