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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

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Effect of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation on neurodevelopment in preterm very low birth weight infants:

Ravi Prakash Upadhyay1, Sunita Taneja2, Ranadip Chowdhury2

  • 1Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India. ravi.upadhyay@sas.org.in.

Pediatric Research
|October 25, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Prebiotics and probiotics supplementation in preterm very low birth weight infants did not show significant benefits for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Limited evidence suggests no difference compared to control groups.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiome Research
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face risks of gut dysbiosis and neurodevelopmental deficits.
  • Prebiotics and probiotics are investigated for their potential to modulate gut microbiota and influence brain function.
  • This review focuses on the impact of prebiotic and/or probiotic supplementation on neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize existing literature on the effects of prebiotic and/or probiotic supplementation in preterm VLBW infants on their neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • To evaluate the impact of these interventions on cognitive and motor development, as well as the risk of specific impairments.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and CENTRAL.
  • Included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) or VLBW infants (<1500g) assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Statistical analyses included weighted mean differences for scores and pooled relative risks for impairments; evidence quality was assessed using GRADE criteria.

Main Results:

  • Seven RCTs were included, mostly in preterm infants <33 weeks gestation, with neurodevelopmental assessments at ≥18-22 months corrected age.
  • Prebiotic and/or probiotic supplementation did not significantly alter the risk of cognitive/motor impairment, cerebral palsy, or visual/hearing impairment.
  • The overall quality of evidence supporting these findings was rated as low to very low.

Conclusions:

  • Current limited evidence from RCTs does not demonstrate a significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • No clear benefit of prebiotic/probiotic supplementation was observed in the studied population.
  • Further high-quality research is needed to definitively assess the role of these interventions.
Abstract

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