Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants

Abstract

Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious disease that affects the bowel of premature infants in the first few weeks of life. Although the cause of NEC is not entirely known, milk feeding and bacterial growth play a role. Probiotics (dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast) have been used to prevent NEC. Our review of studies found that the use of probiotics reduces the occurrence of NEC and death in premature infants born weighing less than 1500 grams. There is insufficient data with regard to the benefits and potential adverse effects in the most at risk infants weighing less than 1000 grams at birth.

TIMP-1 inhibition of occludin degradation in Caco-2 intestinal cells: a potential protective role in necrotizing enterocolitis

“…In light of these limitations, the current approach to deal with this threat is treating the symptoms as they appear and trying different approaches for prevention such as providing probiotics or feeding the preterm infant with HBM (21). While some studies have been performed in the field of probiotics and their effect on NEC (1,22), fewer studies have been conducted on the effect of HBM on NEC and even less is known about the mechanisms by which HBM components can contribute to the protective effect of HBM on NEC.…”

Is Promoting Gut Microbial Diversity in Neonatal Enterocolitis the NECst Step?

“…One option is manipulation of the microbiota, an approach well illustrated by the successes reported for probiotics. In a meta-analysis that examined over 5000 neonates, probiotics reduced severe NEC and all-cause mortality [9]. Approaches using complex microbial communities to restore damaged microbial ecosystems (effective at curing other diseases characterized by dysbiosis, such as recurrent C. difficile infection) are also intriguing, but have not been investigated in the preterm infant population [10].…”

The role of human milk oligosaccharides in preventing necrotising enterocolitis and human immunodeficiency virus transmission

“…Furthermore, probiotics potentially compete with other organisms for binding sites and substrate in the bowel. 49,50 Microbiota disturbances early in HIV infection lead to greater dominance of potential pathogens, reduced levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus spp. and increasing mucosal inflammation.…”

“…53 Randomised controlled trials that used a multistrain probiotic reported a significant decline in NEC, whereas those reporting a lesser decline used a single organism, such as L. rhamnosus GG. 49,53,54 …”