Sl No |
Study/Year |
Probiotic
supplementation (dosage & duration) |
Study group |
Result |
Conclusion |
Reference |
1. |
Hoyos et al,
1999, Columbia, (single centre) |
Lactobacillus
acidophilus, (0.25×109 CFU), Bifidobacterium infantis (0,25×109CFU |
<37wk, 1237 neonates, admitted in ICU vs 1282 historical control
|
3% from probiotic group(no-37) and 6.6% from control
group(no-85) developed NEC
|
Significant decrease in NEC incidence in
probiotic group |
20 |
2. |
Dani et al, 2002, 12 NICUs in Italy, (multicentre,
prospective study) |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, GG 6×109CFU,
once daily |
<33 wks and <1500 gm 295 in probiotic group vs
290 in placebo |
1.4% in probiotic group (no-4) vs 2.8%(no-8) control
group (non significant decrease in NEC incidence) |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation is not
effective in decreasing incidence of NEC |
26 |
3. |
Lin et al, 2005,
Taiwan, single- centre, prospective study |
Lactobacillus acidophilus, B. Infantis 106 organisms twice daily from 7th
day till discharge |
<1500 gm, 180 in probiotic group vs 187 in control group |
1.1% in probiotic group (no-2) 5.3% in control group
(no-10) |
Significant decrease in NEC incidence, severity and
death |
22 |
4. |
Bin-Nun et al, 2005,
Israel, single centre study |
Bifidobacterium
infantis , Bifidobacterium bifidus, Streptococcus thermophilus 0.35×109
CFU each once daily from first feed up to gestational age 36 wks |
<1500 gm, preterm infants, 72 in probiotic group,
73 in control group |
4% in probiotic group vs 16. 4% in control group |
Significant reduction in NEC incidence and severity |
21 |
5. |
Lin et al, 2008,
Taiwan, seven NICUs multi-centre study |
Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus
twice daily for 6 wks |
<1500 gm, 217 in study group vs 217 in control
group |
1.8% (no-4) in study group vs 6.5% (no-14) in
control group |
Reduced incidence of death and severity of NEC |
23 |
6. |
Samanta et al, 2009,
India, single centre |
Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus 2.5×109 CFU
each twice daily until discharge |
<34 wk, <1500 gm, 91 in probiotic group, 95 in control group |
5.5% in probiotic group (no-5), 15.8% in control group(no-15), decrease in
NEC incidence and sepsis |
Prophylactic probiotic supplementation reduced
incidence of NEC, shortened time to reach full feeds and decreased duration
of hospital stay |
24 |
7. |
Braga et al, 2011,
Brazil, single centre |
Bifidobacterium breve, (3.5×107 to 3.5×109
CFU), Lactobacillus casei from 2nd day of life until 30 day of life or discharge or death |
750 gm to 1499 gm 119 in probiotic group, 112 in
control group |
None in probiotic group, 3.6% in control, group (No-4). Probiotic
group achieved full enteral feed faster than control group |
Use of probiotics had a beneficial effect on
occurrence of NEC |
32 |
8. |
Sari et al, 2011, Turkey, prospective, single centre trial |
Lactobacillus sporogens, (3.5×108 CFU),
once a day from first feed until discharge |
<1500 gm, <33 wks, 110 in probiotic group, 111 in control
group |
5.5% in probiotic group (no-6), 9% in control group(no-10) |
No significant difference in incidence of death or
NEC between the groups. Lactobacillus sporogens improved feeding tolerance |
27 |
9. |
Rouge et al, 2009,
France, Two centre study |
Bifidobacterium longum , Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
108 CFU, once daily till discharge |
Gestational age < 32 wks, birth weight < 1500
gm. 45 in probiotic group and 49 in control group |
4.4% in probiotic group (no-2) and 2% in control
group (no-1), primary outcome did not differ between two groups |
Time to reach full feeds is significantly shorter in
probiotic group in infants > 1000 gm (beneficial effect was observed) |
25 |
10. |
Manzoni et al, 2011,
Italy, multi-centre trial |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, GG 3×109 CFU/day
single oral dose since 4th day of life for 4 to 6 wks |
Six year cohort study on 743 VLBW infants |
1.9% (No-14) of cases developed NEC. No clinical
sepsis episodes were attributed to LGG |
Routine supplementation of probiotic,
LGG is microbiologically safe and clinically well tolerated |
29 |