Abstract
Growing evidence supports the role of probiotics in reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, time to achieve full enteral feeding, and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants. As reported for several neonatal clinical outcomes, recent data have suggested that nutrition might affect probiotics’ efficacy. Nevertheless, the currently available literature does not explore the relationship between LOS prevention and type of feeding in preterm infants receiving probiotics. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotics for LOS prevention in preterm infants according to type of feeding (exclusive human milk (HM) vs. exclusive formula or mixed feeding). Randomized-controlled trials involving preterm infants receiving probiotics and reporting on LOS were included in the systematic review. Only trials reporting on outcome according to feeding type were included in the meta-analysis. Fixed-effects models were used and random-effects models were used when significant heterogeneity was found. The results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Twenty-five studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, probiotic supplementation resulted in a significantly lower incidence of LOS (RR 0.79 (95% CI 0.71–0.88), p < 0.0001). According to feeding type, the beneficial effect of probiotics was confirmed only in exclusively HM-fed preterm infants (RR 0.75 (95% CI 0.65–0.86), p < 0.0001). Among HM-fed infants, only probiotic mixtures, and not single-strain products, were effective in reducing LOS incidence (RR 0.68 (95% CI 0.57–0.80) p < 0.00001). The results of the present meta-analysis show that probiotics reduce LOS incidence in exclusively HM-fed preterm infants. Further efforts are required to clarify the relationship between probiotics supplementation, HM, and feeding practices in preterm infants.
Highlights
Late onset sepsis (LOS) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants [1,2]
Three studies were excluded after examining the full texts: One study included both term and preterm infants [25], one study reported supplementation with probiotic plus bovine lactoferrin [26], and one study was not written in English [27]
Several data suggest that the impact of the type of feeding on clinical outcome in preterm infants is likely to be relevant [66]: It has been previously shown that human milk (HM) feeding, per se, is associated with a reduction of the risk of developing late-onset sepsis (LOS) [67] and with a shorter time to achieve full enteral feeding in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants [68]
Summary
Late onset sepsis (LOS) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants [1,2] It occurs in approximately 20% of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, has a significant overall mortality [3], and a high risk of long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae [4]. In preterm infants, the development of the microbial community is disrupted by events related to prematurity: Mode of delivery, antenatal and postnatal use of antibiotics, minimal exposure to maternal flora, and low intake of breast milk [6] Such disruption, called dysbiosis, results in an altered barrier and immune function and an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses, and has been associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and LOS [7,8]
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