Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

8.5K

Lactoferrin Supplementation to Prevent Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Infants: A Meta-Analysis

Abdul Razak1,2, Asif Hussain3

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

American Journal of Perinatology
|September 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Lactoferrin supplementation shows promise in reducing late-onset sepsis (LOS) for preterm infants, though evidence quality varies. Further research is recommended to confirm these findings and improve certainty.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
  • Identifying effective preventive strategies is crucial for improving outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of lactoferrin supplementation in preventing LOS in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive database search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
  • The Cochrane Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was employed to assess the quality of evidence.

Main Results:

  • Ten RCTs involving 3,679 infants were analyzed.
  • Lactoferrin supplementation, with or without probiotics, significantly decreased the incidence of all LOS (RR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.36-0.86; low certainty evidence).
  • Lactoferrin supplementation without probiotics also significantly reduced all LOS (RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.29-0.62; moderate certainty evidence).
  • No significant reductions were observed for necrotizing enterocolitis, all-cause mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

Conclusions:

  • Low to moderate quality evidence suggests that lactoferrin supplementation can effectively reduce the incidence of late-onset sepsis in preterm infants.
  • The current evidence base necessitates further high-quality research to strengthen conclusions and guide clinical practice.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

558
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

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

Published on: January 12, 2018

12.5K

Related Concept Videos

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Microcirculatory imaging (MI) is used to monitor peripheral perfusion in critically ill or preterm neonates. This manuscript and video demonstrates the optimal approach for obtaining high-quality...
8.5K
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

This protocol describes the development of a neonatal piglet model of acute lung injury that models early pathogenic events occurring in the preterm lung, including sub-adequate surfactant quantity, hyperoxia, high-pressure ventilation, and inflammation, to facilitate understanding of molecular triggers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and enhance therapeutic...
558
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

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

This manuscript describes the Research Prioritization by Affected Communities (RPAC) protocol and findings from its use with women at risk for preterm birth. Using the protocol, women identified and prioritized their unanswered questions about pregnancy, birth and neonatal care aimed at influencing research priority setting by funders and...
12.5K
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants09:18

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants

The assessment and treatment of pain in infants is difficult because infants cannot verbally report their experience. In this video we describe quantitative electrophysiological methods and analysis techniques that can be used to measure the response to noxious events from the infant nervous...
17.6K
Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants07:26

Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants

Human umbilical cord (UC) can be obtained during the perinatal period as a result of preterm, term, and postterm delivery. In this protocol, we describe the isolation and characterization of UC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) from fetuses/infants at 19-40 weeks of...
15.0K
A Ferret Model of Inflammation-sensitized Late Preterm Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury07:36

A Ferret Model of Inflammation-sensitized Late Preterm Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury

The method describes inflammation-sensitized hypoxic-ischemic and hyperoxic brain injury in the P17 ferret to model the complex interaction between prolonged inflammation and oxidative brain injury experienced in a number of late preterm...
7.9K