Effectiveness of a probiotic combination on the neurodevelopment of the very premature infant

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Microbiology
• Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

• Necrotizing enterocolitis is a known risk in premature infants, with probiotics showing some benefit.
• Research on probiotic impact on neurodevelopment in preterm neonates remains limited.
• Specific probiotic strains Bifidobacterium bifidum NCDO 2203 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDO 1748 were investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a specific probiotic combination positively influences neurodevelopment in preterm neonates.
• To assess the effect of probiotics on neurodevelopmental impairment and sepsis in infants born before 32 weeks gestation and under 1500g birth weight.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental comparative study involving premature infants (<32 weeks, <1500g) in a level III neonatal unit.
• Oral administration of the probiotic combination to neonates surviving beyond 7 days until 34 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge.
• Neurodevelopmental evaluation at 24 months corrected age for 233 recruited neonates (109 probiotic group, 124 control).

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in neurodevelopmental impairment at 2 years of age was observed in the probiotic group (RR 0.30 [0.16-0.58]).
• A significant reduction in the degree of neurodevelopmental impairment (normal-mild vs. moderate-severe) was noted (RR 0.22 [0.07-0.73]).
• The probiotic intervention also led to a significant reduction in late-onset sepsis (RR 0.45 [0.21-0.99]).

Conclusions:

• Prophylactic administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCDO 2203 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDO 1748 improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm neonates.
• This probiotic combination effectively reduced the incidence of sepsis in high-risk neonates.
• The findings support the use of this specific probiotic combination for enhancing neurodevelopment and reducing sepsis in very preterm infants.