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Probiotics promoted head growth in extremely low birthweight infants in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Erik Wejryd1, Giovanna Marchini2, Veronica Frimmel3

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|July 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) did not improve feeding tolerance in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants. However, L. reuteri improved head growth rates in these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

  • Extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants face challenges with enteral feeding tolerance and growth.
  • Probiotic supplementation is explored as a strategy to improve outcomes in ELBW infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of oral Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation.
  • To determine its impact on enteral feeding tolerance and growth rates in ELBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  • 134 ELBW infants (<1000 g) received daily L. reuteri (1.25 × 10^8 bacteria/day) or placebo.
  • Outcomes assessed included feeding tolerance and growth rate (z-score development) until 36 weeks gestational age.

Main Results:

  • Feeding tolerance and time to full enteral feeds were similar between the L. reuteri and placebo groups (15 days).
  • Head circumference z-score decreased less in the L. reuteri group (-1.2 SD) compared to placebo (-1.7 SD; p = 0.001).
  • Other growth parameters did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation did not enhance enteral feeding tolerance in ELBW infants.
  • L. reuteri supplementation was associated with improved head growth during the first month of life in ELBW infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Feeding toleranceGrowthNecrotising enterocolitisPremature infantsProbiotics

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