Bovine Colostrum For Prevention Of Late Onset Sepsis In Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Abstract Objective to determine whether gut priming with bovine colostrum reduces nosocomial sepsis episodes and to determine its effect on sepsis severity and weight increment. Study Design In this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial, infants born before 34 weeks were assigned to receive either placebo (n 33) or bovine colostrum (n 32) as gut priming. Episodes of nosocomial sepsis (diagnosed by using Rodwell and Töllner sepsis scores) were recorded. A third comparison was made with standard care group of preterm neonates (n 17). Results Fewer sepsis episodes were observed in bovine colostrum-treated infants (3 vs. 6, p-value 0.482) with none developed severe sepsis. There was no significant difference in the weight increment (p-value 0.355) Conclusion Gut priming with oral Bovine Colostrum decreases severe sepsis in preterm neonates.