Effect of a Short-Time Probiotic Supplementation on the Abundance of the Main Constituents of the Gut Microbiota of Term Newborns Delivered by Cesarean Section-A Randomized, Prospective, Controlled Clinical Trial.

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of human health. Numerous factors, including the mode of delivery, impact early gut colonization in newborns. Recent research focuses on the use of probiotics in the prevention of gut dysbiosis in newborns delivered by cesarean section (CS). The objective of this study was to determine whether a probiotic supplement given to newborns delivered by CS during their stay in the maternity ward alters the pattern of early gut colonization by lactic acid bacteria versus potential pathogens. A prospective, randomized trial was conducted. In total, 150 newborns, born at 38-40 weeks gestational age and delivered by CS, were included in the study. They were randomized into the intervention group, supplemented orally with a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium breve PB04 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL53A, and the control group. Stool samples were obtained on days 5 and 6 of life and after one month of life and were analyzed for the presence and abundance of the main groups of bacteria. An application of two probiotic bacteria during the first days of life after CS resulted in quick and abundant colonization by days 5 and 6, with high populations of L. rhamnosus and B. breve. The applied bacterial strains were present in the majority of neonates one month after. The supplementation of term neonates delivered by cesarean section immediately after birth with a mixture of L. rhamnosus and B. breve enriched the gut microbiota composition with lactic acid bacteria.

[Carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnant woman]. / Zatrucie tlenkiem wegla u kobiety ciezarnej.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most frequent types of poisoning caused by gases. Exposure of a pregnant woman to carbon monoxide is connected with transmission of this gas to her fetus what may cause oxygen deficiency, and further, the damage to its organs. The article describes a case of carbon monoxide poisoning of a 28-weeks pregnant woman who was treated in a hyperbaric chamber. Therapy was successful and the woman gave birth to a healthy, full term infant. In case of poisoning to a pregnant woman the above seems to be the most advantageous solution.

[The effects of enteral administration of glutamine enriched solution in very low birth weight infants on reducing the symptoms of feeding intolerance. A prospective, randomized pilot study]. / Wplyw enteralnej podazy roztworu wzbogaconego glutamina u noworodkow z bardzo mala urodzeniowa masa ciala, na ograniczenie objawow nietolerancji karmiena. Prospektywne, randomizowane badanie pilotazowe.

BACKGROUND: Feeding intolerance frequently occurs during the first several weeks of life in very low birth weight infants and may require the reduction of oral feeding. When significantly expressed, it may lead to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis. Apart from breast milk, also the maintenance of normal peristalsis, enterocyte nourishment and keeping a low pH value in the stomach seem to be important points in the NEC prophylaxis. AIM: The authors present the results of the randomized pilot study, performed in two, differently fed groups of VLBW newborns. The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis caused by Gram negative bacteria, intestinal perforation and the number of deaths between the study group and the control group of newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 106 VLBW newborns were qualified for research. In the study group (50 newborns), apart from the mother's milk or preterm formula, infants were enteraly receiving a glutamine/ amino acid solution, the osmolality of which was comparable to amniotic fluid. The pH value of the solution was 5.5 so as to lower acidity of the stomach fluids. In the control group (56 newborns) infants were fed enteraly exclusively with the mother's milk or preterm formula. The patients in the two groups were comparable with regard to birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score and CRIB score, and the frequency of antenatal corticosteroid administration. RESULTS: There was a significantly lower risk of feeding intolerance in infants who were receiving the glutamine/amino acid solution (p=0.015). Also there was a lower risk of NEC (5 vs 10 cases), intestinal perforation (1 vs 4 cases), sepsis caused by Gram negative bacteria (1 vs 4 cases) and death (1 vs 3) in the study group. However, none of these differences reached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral supplementation of glutamine/amino acid solution given simultaneously with enteral feeding is safe and may significantly reduce feeding intolerance in very low birth weight infants in their first days or weeks of life. The results of our research can be useful when attempting to work out the principles of NEC prophylaxis by means of maintaining normal peristalsis, enterocyte nourishment and keeping a low pH value in the stomach.