Routine Probiotic Use in Very Preterm Infants: Retrospective Comparison of Two Cohorts

Routine Probiotic Use in Very Preterm Infants: Retrospective Comparison of Two Cohorts

American Journal of Perinatology, 07/20/2012 Clinical Article

Bonsante F et al. – Administration of Lcr Restituo was well tolerated and associated with lower mortality and morbidities in this cohort. The results provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that this probiotic may reduce IRB.

Methods

• Treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo) (2 × 108 colony–forming units/12 h) was started early after birth and intention to treat was up to 36 weeks' gestation.
• The main outcome was definite NEC.
• Secondary outcomes were mortality, late–onset sepsis (LOS), cholestasis, isolated rectal bleeding (IRB), and time to reach full enteral feeding (FEF).

Results

• A total of 1130 patients were included.
• No adverse effects were observed.
• Infants in PC presented a reduced rate of NEC (odds ratio [OR] 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07 to 0.58), mortality (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.21 to 1.00), and LOS (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.89) and achieved FEF significantly earlier.

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