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Probiotics, feeding tolerance, and growth: a comparison between HIV-exposed and unexposed very low birth weight

Evette Van Niekerk1, Gert F Kirsten2, Daniel G Nel3

  • 1Division Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|March 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplementation did not impact feeding tolerance or growth in preterm infants, regardless of HIV exposure. HIV-exposed infants showed improved length and head circumference z-scores compared to unexposed infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiome Research
  • Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

  • Preterm infants, especially those HIV-exposed, face challenges with feeding tolerance and growth.
  • Probiotics are investigated for their potential to modulate the gut microbiome and improve outcomes in vulnerable infant populations.
  • Understanding the impact of probiotics in HIV-exposed (but uninfected) preterm infants is crucial for optimizing their care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of probiotic administration on feeding tolerance and growth in HIV-exposed versus HIV non-exposed preterm infants.
  • To test the hypothesis that probiotic supplementation does not alter feeding tolerance and growth outcomes in very low birth weight preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation, birth weight ≥500g and ≤1250g).
  • Infants received either a multispecies probiotic mixture (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium infantis) or placebo for 28 days.
  • Monitoring included anthropometrical parameters, daily nutrient intake, and assessment of feeding tolerance.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in average daily weight gain were observed between probiotic and placebo groups, or between HIV-exposed and unexposed infants.
  • HIV-exposed infants demonstrated significantly higher z-scores for length and head circumference at day 28 compared to HIV non-exposed infants.
  • The incidence of feeding intolerance and abdominal distension was similar across all groups.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic supplementation did not influence growth outcomes or the occurrence of feeding intolerance in preterm infants.
  • While probiotics did not alter growth, HIV-exposed preterm infants exhibited enhanced linear and head circumference growth compared to their unexposed counterparts.
  • These findings suggest that probiotic interventions may not be necessary for improving growth and feeding tolerance in this population, but highlight specific growth advantages in HIV-exposed infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Anthropometrical parametersFeeding intoleranceFeeding volumeHIVPremature infant

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