Early administration of Bifidobacterium breve to preterm infants: randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Aim-To investigate the colonisation with Bifidobacterium breve of the bowels of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Methods-The adverse eVects of B breve were examined in 66 VLBW infants (preliminary study). A prospective randomised clinical study of 91 VLBW infants was also completed and these infants were followed up for three years. Precise viable bacterial counts of serial stool specimens were examined for the first eight weeks after birth in 10 infants. The colonisation rates of administered bacteria were examined using immunohistochemical staining of stool specimens with a B breve specific monoclonal antibody. Results-In the preliminary study there were no side eVects attributable to the bacteria. Immunohistochemical staining of stool specimens showed that the colonisation rates of the administered bacteria were 73% at 2 weeks of age, but only 12% in the control group. Early administration of B breve significantly decreased aspirated air volume from the stomach and improved weight gain. Conclusions-B breve can colonise the immature bowel very eVectively and is associated with fewer abnormal abdominal signs and better weight gain in VLBW infants, probably as a result of stabilisation of their intestinal flora and accelerated feeding schedules. (Arch Dis Child 1997;76:F101-F107)

Oral probiotics: Lactobacillus sporogenes for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low-birth weight infants: a randomized, controlled trial

“…A randomized controlled trial found that infants whose feed was supplemented with Bifidobacterium breve had higher rates of fecal bifidobacterial colonization at 2 weeks of age (73 vs 12%), improved weight gain and had feeding tolerance. However, the incidence and severity of NEC were not reported in this study (Kitajima et al, 1997). Lin et al (2005) reported a decrease in NEC, NEC plus mortality and severity of NEC, following probiotics L. acidophilus and B. infantis (Infloran), prophylaxis in a prospective, randomized blinded study.…”

Perspectives on the role of the human gut microbiota and its modulation by pro- and prebiotics

“…Conversely, no lesions were found in germ-free quails associated with Bi®dobacterium infantis-longum or in quails associated with the faecal micro¯ora, containing bi®dobacteria and no clostridia, taken from the healthy neonate twin of the NEC patient. Further studies have shown that bi®dobacteria may have a protective role against NEC, to the extent that inoculation of premature babies with B. breve stabilized the gut micro¯ora, increased weight gain in infants of very low birth weight and resulted in a reduction in gastric aspirated air volume (Kitajima et al 1997).…”

Probiotic Use for the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants

“…(Table 1) A randomized controlled trial found that infants whose feed was supplemented with Bifidobacterium breve had higher rates of fecal bifidobacterial colonization at 2 weeks of age (73 vs. 12 %), improved weight gain and had feeding tolerance. However, the incidence and severity of NEC were not reported in this study (39).…”