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Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Roles of Probiotics in Reduction of Neonatal Jaundice in Term Newborns
Insights
Probiotics did not significantly lower bilirubin levels in healthy term newborns delivered via C-section. However, Bifidobacterium supplementation did show a positive effect on infant body weight gain and was found to be safe.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Hyperbilirubinemia is common in newborns.
- Caesarean section (CS) delivery may influence neonatal outcomes.
- Probiotics are explored for various health benefits in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Bifidobacterium in reducing bilirubin levels in term neonates born via CS.
- To assess the safety and impact of probiotics on neonatal body weight.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 153 healthy term neonates delivered by CS.
- Infants were divided into probiotic (n=54) and non-probiotic (n=99) groups.
- Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were monitored daily for 5 days; body weight gain was also recorded.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in daily bilirubin levels was observed between the probiotic and non-probiotic groups.
- A significant positive effect on body weight gain (36.09 ± 8.23 g/day) was noted in the probiotic group.
- No adverse reactions were reported in either group, indicating good tolerance.
Conclusions:
- Bifidobacterium supplementation did not demonstrate a significant effect on lowering bilirubin levels in the first five days of life for CS-delivered neonates.
- Probiotics showed a beneficial impact on body weight gain and were confirmed to be safe for newborns.
- Further research may be warranted to explore other potential benefits of probiotics in neonatal care.
Objective:
the primary objective was to examine the effect of Bifidobacterium on decreasing the bilirubin level in term neonates delivered by Caesarean Section (CS).
Materials And Methods:
A total of 153 healthy term neonates delivered by CS were included in this study and were divided into the non-probiotic group (n=99) and probiotic group (n=54) based on the history of probiotics administration. There were no infants who underwent phototherapy. A total of 20 doses of probiotics were given orally from the first day of life. The transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) levels were measured every day for the first 5 days of life. Data of each infant and mother were gathered from medical records.
Results:
The bilirubin level per day (day-1 to day-5) in the non-probiotic group was no different from the probiotic group. Differences in bilirubin level between day-5 and day-1, and also between day-5 and day-2 were not different between the two groups. There was a significant (p = 0.03) body weight gain in the probiotic groups with a mean of 36.09 ± 8.23 gram/day. No obvious adverse reactions were seen in both the non-probiotic group and probiotic group.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest no significant effects of probiotics on lowering bilirubin levels in the first five days of life. Also, probiotics have a positive effect on body weight gain in healthy term infants, and it is safe to be given to newborns.
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