Oral Probiotics Versus No Treatment for Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: To study the utility of oral probiotics for preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in low birth weight infants Methods: In this randomized controlled study preterm infants, weighing less than 1500 grams and who were fit to receive enteral feeds (Stable vitals, soft abdomen with normal bowel sounds and no nasogastric aspirate) were included. Infants were randomly assigned to two groups. Intervention group (Group A) was started on oral supplementation of probiotics(Mixture of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus in a dose of 109 CFU/day given in two divided doses)dissolved in breast milk twice a day till the complete enteral feed was established which was considered the end of study. The control group (Group B) was only given breast milk. The amount of feeding was increased slowly as per tolerance, with increments of no more than 20 ml/kg per day per feeding. Feeding was stopped in case of any sign of feeding intolerance. For quantitative variables (Gestational age, Birth weight) mean and standard deviation (SD) was calculated. For comparison of qualitative variables i.e. NEC in two groups, Chi square test was used. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in the study group was 10.95 % (7 cases) versus 23.28% (18cases) in control group Conclusion: The frequency of NEC in probiotics group is significantly less than those not given probiotics (P=0.04).