Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

12.6K

Probiotic Supplementation in the Neonatal Age Group and the Risk of Hospitalisation in the First Two Years: A Data

Ravisha Srinivasjois1,2,3, Amanuel Gebremedhin1,4, Desiree Silva2,3

  • 1Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia.

Nutrients
|July 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplementation for preterm infants reduced hospitalizations by 8% within two years. This study highlights the long-term benefits of probiotics for very premature babies after neonatal care.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

  • Probiotic supplementation is common for preterm neonates globally.
  • Previous research has not detailed the long-term impact of neonatal probiotics on infant hospitalization risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation in preterm neonates on subsequent hospitalization rates.
  • To analyze hospitalization risks for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections up to two years post-discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestation in Western Australia.
  • Comparison of hospitalization data before (Epoch 1) and after (Epoch 2) the implementation of probiotic supplementation.
  • Subgroup analysis for infants born before 28 weeks gestation.

Main Results:

  • An 8% reduction in hospitalizations up to two years post-birth was observed after probiotic implementation (adjusted IRR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.98).
  • Adjustments were made for gestational age, smoking, socioeconomic status, and maternal age.
  • Hospitalization rates for extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks) remained comparable between the two epochs.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal probiotic exposure is associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization in the first two years after neonatal unit discharge.
  • Probiotics may offer a protective effect against common infant infections requiring hospitalization.
  • Further research could explore specific probiotic strains and optimal timing for administration.
Abstract

Keywords:
gastrointestinalhospitalisationinfectionneonateprobioticrespiratory

More Related Videos

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

19.4K
Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

2.2K

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...