Review takes probiotics for preterm infants ‘another step forward’

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

- Last updated on GMT

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri may help fight conditions that are life-threatening for preterm babies, say Australian researchers
Probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri may help fight conditions that are life-threatening for preterm babies, say Australian researchers

Related tags Lactobacillus Probiotic Gut flora

Supplementing enteral nutrition with a probiotic strain may reduce the risk of bowel tissue death and other serious health risks in premature infants, says a systematic review.

The study looked at the impact of the strain Lactobacillus reuteri ​on conditions like necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) – a condition whereby portions of the bowel undergo tissue death – as well as enteral nutrition (EN) more broadly in this high-risk population.

According to the paper published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition​ (JPEN)​ this week, time to full feeds, duration of hospitalisation and late-onset sepsis - bacterial blood stream infection like meningitis or pneumonia after the first seven days of life - were reduced in the L. reuteri​ group.

Its author, clinical prof Sanjay Patole, told us the results took “the field of probiotics for preterm infants another step forward" ​by showing that specific strains such as L. reuteri​ had the potential to not only reduce the risk of  definite necrotising enterocolitis but also of late onset sepsis and feed intolerance. 

microbiome-probiotics-bacteria

Definite NEC carries high mortality rates of about 25% and morbidity, including recurrent sepsis, need for surgery, survival with short bowel syndrome and long-term neuro-developmental impairment in very preterm babies of gestational age less than 32 weeks. 

This mortality jumps to about 45% in extremely preterm neonates with a gestational age of less than 28 weeks needing surgical intervention for the illness.

The review included six randomised controlled trials and two non-randomised controlled trials. Looking at strain-specific studies was key, the researchers said. 

Both non-randomised controlled trials studies showed significant improvement in the incidence of NEC with L. reuteri ​supplementation. 

Meanwhile mortality and second stage NEC were reduced but statistically not significant.

There were no adverse effects of supplementation.

Optimising enteral nutrition while balancing the risk of a potentially life-threatening illness such as NEC in very preterm neonates has been a difficult task,”​ wrote the researchers from the King Edward Memorial Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and the University of Western Australia in Perth.

Larger definitive randomised controlled trials were now needed to confirm the findings.

Source: Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition​ (JPEN)

Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1177/0148607115588113

“Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 as a Probiotic for Preterm Neonates: A Strain-Specific Systematic Review”

Authors: G. Athalye-Jape, S. Rao and S. Patole

Related products

show more

Elevate your snacks with novel cheese flavours

Elevate your snacks with novel cheese flavours

Content provided by Givaudan | 23-Feb-2024 | Product Brochure

Aside from conducting desk research to understand snacking preferences and taste profiles among consumers in the Asia Pacific, Givaudan also embarked on...

Empowering Women Through the Life Cycle

Empowering Women Through the Life Cycle

Content provided by Glanbia Nutritionals | 07-Nov-2023 | Product Brochure

As discussions around female empowerment widen, and advances in women’s health access and provision accelerate, the implications for business, healthcare,...

Analyzing the unknown threat from Microplastics

Analyzing the unknown threat from Microplastics

Content provided by Agilent Technologies | 06-Nov-2023 | Infographic

Microplastics are any plastic-derived synthetic solid particle or polymeric matrix, ranging in size from 1 µm to 5 mm and insoluble in water.

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars

Food & Beverage Trailblazers

F&B Trailblazers Podcast