Home / Health / Probiotics Slash Preemie Bowel Disease Risk
Probiotics Slash Preemie Bowel Disease Risk
25 Sep
Summary
- Probiotics linked to reduced severe bowel disease in preemies.
- Study found fewer surgical NEC cases with probiotic use.
- Findings add to evidence on gut microbiome development in preemies.
New research from Sweden indicates that probiotics may substantially lower the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe bowel complication, in very preterm infants. A study by the Karolinska Institutet examined outcomes of babies born between 28 and 31 weeks gestation.
Comparing data before and after probiotics were introduced nationally in Swedish neonatal units, researchers observed a significant reduction in NEC cases, especially those necessitating surgery. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, reported only one surgical NEC case among over 1,500 infants receiving probiotics, contrasted with 40 cases in a similar group without probiotics.
Experts highlight the study's large sample size and consistent probiotic use as strengths, but note its observational nature means direct causation cannot be proven. Further research is ongoing for extremely preterm infants. Parents are advised to discuss probiotic use with their baby's medical team.
