Does administering probiotic treatment to infants under 1500 g, decrease the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis? A systematic literature review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Does administering probiotic treatment to infants under 1500 g, decrease the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis? A systematic literature review

AU - Rohan, Teresa

AU - Wainwright, Lynne

PY - 2014/2

Y1 - 2014/2

N2 - This literature review investigates if probiotics reduce the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in premature and low birth weight infants (1500 g) in the Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU). NEC remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the premature and low birth weight neonatal population. Probiotics are live micro-organisms which benefit the host when administered in adequate amounts by increasing the gut flora with 'friendly' bacteria and are thought to reduce of NEC in the premature population. The studies which used a combination of two or more probiotics, reported a decrease in the incidence and/or severity of NEC. However, there was no consistency in the type or dose of probiotic used and timing of introduction or length of treatment varied amongst the studies. While the results of the studies are promising, there are too many inconsistencies in the research and little is known about the long term outcomes. Further studies are needed in this area before probiotics are used in the on a routine basis in babies

AB - This literature review investigates if probiotics reduce the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in premature and low birth weight infants (1500 g) in the Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU). NEC remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the premature and low birth weight neonatal population. Probiotics are live micro-organisms which benefit the host when administered in adequate amounts by increasing the gut flora with 'friendly' bacteria and are thought to reduce of NEC in the premature population. The studies which used a combination of two or more probiotics, reported a decrease in the incidence and/or severity of NEC. However, there was no consistency in the type or dose of probiotic used and timing of introduction or length of treatment varied amongst the studies. While the results of the studies are promising, there are too many inconsistencies in the research and little is known about the long term outcomes. Further studies are needed in this area before probiotics are used in the on a routine basis in babies

KW - Bifidobacterium

KW - IUGR

KW - Lactobacillus

KW - Nectrotising enterocolitis (NEC)

KW - Premature infants

KW - Probiotics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84891746081&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jnn.2013.04.007

DO - 10.1016/j.jnn.2013.04.007

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84891746081

SN - 1355-1841

VL - 20

SP - 37

EP - 42

JO - Journal of Neonatal Nursing

JF - Journal of Neonatal Nursing

IS - 1

ER -