Effectiveness of a probiotic combination on the neurodevelopment of the very premature infant.

Probiotics have shown a benefit in reducing necrotising enterocolitis in the premature infant, however the study of their effect on premature neonates' neurodevelopment is limited. The aim of our study was to elucidate whether the effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCDO 2203 combined with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDO 1748 could positively impact the neurodevelopment of the preterm neonates. Quasi-experimental comparative study with a combined treatment of probiotics in premature infants < 32 weeks and < 1500 g birth weight, cared for at a level III neonatal unit. The probiotic combination was administered orally to neonates surviving beyond 7 days of life, until 34 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge. Globally, neurodevelopment was evaluated at 24 months corrected age. A total of 233 neonates were recruited, 109 in the probiotic group and 124 in the non-probiotic group. In those neonates receiving probiotics, there was a significant reduction in neurodevelopment impairment at 2 years of age RR 0.30 [0.16-0.58], and a reduction in the degree of impairment (normal-mild vs moderate-severe, RR 0.22 [0.07-0.73]). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in late-onset sepsis (RR 0.45 [0.21-0.99]). The prophylactic use of this probiotic combination contributed to improving neurodevelopmental outcome and reduced sepsis in neonates born at < 32 weeks and < 1500 g.Per style, a structured abstract is not allowed so we have changed the structured abstract to an unstructured abstract. Please check and confirm.Accepted.

[Probiotic associations in the prevention of necrotising enterocolitis and the reduction of late-onset sepsis and neonatal mortality in preterm infants under 1,500g: A systematic review]. / Asociaciones de probióticos para la prevención de la enterocolitis necrosante y la reducción de la sepsis tardía y la mortalidad neonatal en recién nacidos pretérmino de menos de 1.500g: una revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common and serious acquired bowel diseases a premature newborn can face. This meta-analysis was performed comparing different probiotic mixtures to ascertain their benefits as a routine tool for preventing necrotising enterocolitis and reducing late-onset sepsis and mortality in premature neonates of less than 1500g. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials, between January 1980 and March 2014, on MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, together with EMBASE, was carried out. Studies with infants <1500g or <34 weeks were selected, discarding those with Jadad scores lower than 4. RESULTS: 9 studies were selected for further investigation, pooling a total of 3521 newborns. Probiotics were found to reduce the NEC incidence (RR 0.39; 95%CI: 0.26-0.57) and mortality (RR 0.70; 95%CI: 0.52-0.93), with no difference to placebo regarding late-onset sepsis (RR 0.91; 95%CI: 0.78-1.06). Finally, when analysing the different strands, the use of a 2-probiotic combination (Lactobacillus acidophilus with Bifidobacterium bifidum) proved to be statistically significant in reducing all-cause mortality when compared to other probiotic combinations (RR 0.32; 95%CI: 0.15-0.66, NNT 20; 95%CI: 12-50). CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics are a beneficial tool in the prevention of NEC and mortality in preterm neonates. Moreover, the combination of 2 probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus with Bifidobacterium bifidum) seems to produce the greatest benefits. However, due to the differences in probiotic components and administration, it would be wise to perform a randomised controlled trial comparing different probiotic mixtures.