[Effects of probiotics on feeding intolerance in low birth weight premature infants].
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of feeding intolerance in low birth weight (LBW) premature infants.


METHODS
Sixty eligible LBW premature infants were randomly divided into probiotics and conventional treatment groups (n=30 each). Both groups received treatment of the primary disease. Additionally, the probiotics treatment group was administered with probiotics (0.25 g, twice daily). The incidence of feeding intolerance, the time to regain birth weight and to reach full enteral nutrition and the length of hospitalization were compared between the two groups. The occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded.


RESULTS
The incidence of feeding intolerance in the probiotics treatment group was lower than that in the conventional treatment group (4% vs 14%; P<0.01). The time to regain birth weight (6.8±1.2 days vs 7.7±1.6 days; P<0.05) and the time to reach full enteral nutrition (8.0±1.4 days vs 9.0±2.0 days; P<0.05) in the probiotics treatment group were shorter than those in the conventional treatment group. No adverse reactions were observed in the probiotics treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Probiotics can reduce the incidence of feeding intolerance in LBW premature infants, can promote weight gain and shorten the time to reach full enteral nutrition. The application of probiotics appears to be safe in LBW premature infants.
Hu
Xiao-Yan
XY
Department of Neonatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China. xyhu77@126.com
Zhou
Yu-Xin
YX
Xu
Song-Zhou
SZ
Lin
Yue-Yu
YY
D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*