Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
10:36
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Routine probiotics and outcomes in infants < 29 weeks: a 13-year single-centre cohort with propensity-weighted
ThankGod Omereji1, Sarah Wigston1, Yordanka Karayaneva2
1Neonatal Unit, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Routine probiotic use in extremely preterm infants was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality. While benefits for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late-onset sepsis were not clear, this study highlights mortality reduction in vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Clinical pharmacology
Background:
- Probiotic supplementation in preterm infants shows variable effects on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality.
- Existing research lacks representation of extremely preterm infants and has heterogeneity in probiotic products and co-interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between probiotic supplementation and outcomes in infants born at <29 weeks' gestation.
- To assess the impact of probiotics on in-hospital mortality, severe NEC, and late-onset sepsis (LOS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 581 infants born <29 weeks' gestation (2012-2024).
- Compared outcomes between infants receiving probiotics (n=502) and those not receiving probiotics (n=79).
- Used multivariable logistic regression and propensity-score weighting for analysis, adjusting for key covariates.
Main Results:
- Probiotic exposure was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.31; p=0.036).
- In-hospital mortality was 4.8% in probiotic-exposed infants versus 13.9% in unexposed infants.
- No clear association was found between probiotic use and severe NEC or culture-positive LOS.
Conclusions:
- Routine probiotic use in extremely preterm infants (<29 weeks' gestation) is linked to reduced in-hospital mortality.
- The study did not demonstrate clear benefits of probiotics for severe NEC or LOS in this population.
- Findings suggest a potential mortality benefit, warranting further investigation in diverse preterm infant cohorts.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development 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...
01:21Microbiota 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...
01:28Development 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,...