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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
PubMed

Insights

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.

Keywords:
MortalityNecrotising enterocolitisPretermProbiotics

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