Probiotics Reduce Necrotizing Enterocolitis Severity in HIV-exposed Premature Infants

• Published in: Journal of tropical pediatrics (1980) 2015-06, Vol.61 (3), p.155-164
• Main Authors: Van Niekerk, Evette, Nel, Daniel G, Blaauw, Reneé, Kirsten, Gert F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bifidobacterium; Bifidobacterium infantis; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing - epidemiology; Female; HIV Infections; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Severity of Illness Index
• ISSN: 0142-6338; 1465-3664
• DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmv004

To assess the effect of probiotics on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative women. HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed premature infants were randomized to either the probiotic or the placebo group. The probiotic consisted of 1 × 10(9) colony-forming units, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium infantis per day. In total, 74 HIV-exposed and 110 HIV-unexposed infants were enrolled and randomized. The incidence of death [4 (5.4%) vs. 7 (6%); p = 0.79] and NEC [4 (5%) vs. 5 (5%); p = 0.76] did not differ significantly between the HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed groups. A significant difference was found for total NEC incidence between the study and control groups [3 (3%) vs. 6 (6%); p = 0.029]. The incidence of NEC in the HIV-exposed group differed significantly [Bells I 2 (5%) vs. Bells III 2 (5%); p = 0.045). Probiotic supplementation reduced the incidence of NEC in the premature very low birth weight infants; however, results failed to show a lower incidence of NEC in HIV-exposed premature infants. A reduction in the severity of disease was found in the HIV-exposed study group.