Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Effects of probiotics Lactobacillus casei var. rhamnosus on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants in Nepal: A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial

10^th World Pediatric Congress

September 28-29, 2017 Dubai, UAE

Srijana Dangol Singh, Klobassa D S, Resch B, Urlesberger B and Shrestha B P R

Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital, Nepal
Graz University, Austria

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediatr Ther

Abstract :

Background & Aim: Although recent reports suggest that the use of probiotics may enhance intestinal functions in premature infants, the mechanisms are unclear and open questions remain regarding the safety and its effi cacy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effi cacy of probiotics on prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled (1:1) study of 72 hospitalized preterm infants from March 2013 to August 2015 at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital. They were randomly allocated to receive probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus 35) at a dose of 0.8 mg in infants >1500 gms and 0.4 mg in infants <1500 gms in 2 ml of expressed breast milk two times daily or the same amount of expressed breast mild as placebo (without probiotics). Data analysis was performed in SPSS using the chi-square test, independent T-test and Fisher��?s exact test and a p value<0.05 was considered as signifi cant. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu University School of Medical Science and also from Nepal Health Research Council. Result: 72 patients were studied. The probiotics group (n=37) and placebo group (n=35) showed similar clinical characteristics. Although necrotizing enterocolitis (16.2% vs. 28.6%) was found less frequent in the probiotics group compared to the control group, this difference was not signifi cant (p=0.16). Among the risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis, pregnancy risk factors and perinatal risk factors were not signifi cant. However neonatal risk factors were more frequent in the probiotic group (59.3%, n=32) than in the placebo group (40.7%, n=22), the difference was signifi cant (p=0.02). Conclusion: Probiotics administration might not be suffi cient to decrease the risk for necrotizing enterocolitis especially in low birth weight infants. NEC is multifactorial and depends on multiple risk factors as well.

Biography :

Srijana Dangol Singh is currently working as an Associate Professor at Kathmandu University Hospital, Nepal.