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A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis
Published on: January 27, 2019
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Probiotic sepsis in preterm neonates-a systematic review
Tithi Kulkarni1, Swati Majarikar2, Mangesh Deshmukh3,4
1Department of Neonatal Paediatrics, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|March 29, 2022
Summary
Probiotic sepsis is a rare complication in preterm infants, with most cases recovering after antibiotic or antifungal treatment. This review highlights the need for surveillance and alternatives to probiotics.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Microbiology
- Clinical research
Background:
- Probiotics can reduce necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, mortality, and improve feeding in preterm infants.
- Concerns about probiotic-associated sepsis hinder widespread probiotic use in preterm infants.
Observation:
- A systematic review of 16 reports identified 32 preterm infants with probiotic sepsis.
- Most affected infants were born before 32 weeks gestation.
- Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces were the most common causative agents.
Findings:
- Probiotic sepsis is a rare event in preterm infants.
- Genomic analysis confirmed the administered probiotic strain in 25 out of 32 cases.
- Two neonatal deaths were reported; most infants recovered after antibiotic or antifungal treatment.
Implications:
- Optimal surveillance and treatment protocols for probiotic sepsis are crucial.
- Research into alternatives like postbiotics is warranted.
- Despite rarity, probiotic sepsis remains a concern for prophylactic probiotic use in preterm infants.
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