Do preterm infants' retinas like bovine colostrum? A randomized controlled trial
Marwa Mohamed Farag1, Mohamed Alaa Eldin Hassan Thabet2, Islam Sh Ahmed3
1Pediatrics and Neonatology, Pediatric Department, Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. d.marwa.farag@gmail.com.
Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|October 19, 2024
Summary
Bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation significantly reduced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. This intervention also improved growth, hemoglobin levels, and reduced sepsis markers, suggesting BC as a beneficial neonatal nutritional strategy.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Premature infants face risks like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
- Bovine colostrum (BC) with a liposomal delivery system (LDS) is explored as a supplement to protect against ROP.
- BC-LDS may target multiple factors contributing to ROP in developing retinas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of BC with LDS in preventing ROP in preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of BC-LDS on other neonatal morbidities and growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, randomized controlled trial involving 211 preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks).
- Infants were allocated to either a non-BC group or a BC group receiving 3.5 ml/kg/day of BC for 14 days.
- Monitoring included ROP development, anemia, sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and growth assessment.
Main Results:
- The BC group showed a significantly lower incidence of ROP (5/100) compared to the non-BC group (16/100) (p=0.033).
- BC administration decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and increased weight gain by day 14.
- The BC group had significantly less suspected sepsis and higher hemoglobin levels on day 14.
Conclusions:
- BC supplementation may reduce ROP incidence in preterm neonates.
- Improved Hb levels, growth rate, and anti-inflammatory effects (decreased CRP) likely contribute to ROP prevention.
- While BC intake was a factor, multivariate analysis identified weight gain and birth weight as most significant for ROP development.
