Bifidobacterium and enteral feeding in preterm infants: cluster-randomized trial
Totsu S, Yamasaki C, Terahara M, Uchiyama A, Kusuda S
Published in Pediatrics International
Methodology
Cluster-randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial across 19 hospitals giving B. bifidum OLB6378 within 48 h of birth to very low birthweight infants, with enteral feeding establishment as the primary outcome.
Key Findings
Enteral feeding was established significantly earlier with B. bifidum (11.0 +/- 3.6 vs 12.1 +/- 3.8 days, P<0.05) and late-onset sepsis was lower (3.9% vs 10.0%, P<0.05); growth did not differ.
Conclusions
B. bifidum OLB6378 accelerated establishment of enteral feeding and reduced late-onset sepsis in very low birthweight infants.
Limitations
Cluster randomisation at hospital level risks confounding by unit practice; necrotising enterocolitis was too rare to assess; findings apply only to neonatal intensive care populations.
Supplements Studied
Enteral feeding was established significantly earlier in the B group, at 11.0 +/- 3.6 days versus 12.1 +/- 3.8 days in P group (P < 0.05).
Outcomes Measured
The incidence of late-onset sepsis among all enrolled infants was significantly lower in the B group (3.9%, 6/153) than in the P group (10.0%, 13/130; P < 0.05).
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Industry (Meiji Co.) supported
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