Probiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis and nosocomial infection in very low birth weight preterm infants

The aim of the study was to determine whether routine probiotic supplementation (RPS) with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or Lactobacillus acidophilus + Lactobacillus bifidum is associated with reduced risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)>= Stage II in preterm neonates born at <= 32 weeks' gestation. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on the effect of probiotic supplementation in very low birth weight infants in our neonatal unit by comparing two periods: before and after supplementation. The incidence of NEC >= Stage II, late-onset sepsis and all-cause mortality was compared for an equal period 'before' (Period I) and 'after' (Period II) RPS with LGG or L. acidophillus + L. bifidum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for relevant confounders. The study population was composed of 261 neonates (Period I v. II: 134 v. 127) with comparable gestation duration and birth weights. In <32 weeks, we observed a significant reduction in NEC >= Stage II (11.3 v. 4.8 %), late-onset sepsis (16 v. 10.5%) and mortality (19.4 v. 2.3 %). The benefits in neonates aged <= 27 weeks did not reach statistical significance. RPS with LGG or L. acidophillus + L. bifidum is associated with a reduced risk of NEC >= Stage II, late-onset sepsis and mortality in preterm neonates born at <= 32 weeks' gestation.