title: Probiotics-supplemented feeding in extremely low-birth-weight infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this trial was to test whether probiotic-supplemented feeding to extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants will improve growth as determined by decreasing the percentage of infants with weight below the 10th percentile at 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Other important outcome measures, such as improving feeding tolerance determined by tolerating larger volume of feeding per day and reducing antimicrobial treatment days during the first 28 days from the initiation of feeding supplementation were also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled double-blinded clinical study. The probiotics-supplementation (PS) group received Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium infantis added to the first enteral feeding and continued once daily with feedings thereafter until discharge or until 34 weeks (PMA). The control (C) group received unsupplemented feedings. Infant weight and feeding volumes were recorded daily during the first 28 days of study period. Weights were also recorded at 34 weeks PMA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 101 infants were enrolled (PS 50 versus C 51). There was no difference between the two groups in the percentage of infants with weight below the 10th percentile at 34 weeks PMA (PS group 58% versus C group 60%, (P value 0.83)) or in the average volume of feeding during 28 days after study entry (PS group 59  ml  kg(-1) versus C group 71  ml  kg(-1), (P value 0.11)). Calculated growth velocity was higher in the PS group compared with the C group (14.9 versus 12.6  g per day, (P value 0.05)). Incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), as well as mortality were similar between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although probiotic-supplemented feedings improve growth velocity in ELBW infants, there was no improvement in the percentage of infants with growth delay at 34 weeks PMA. There were no probiotic-related adverse events reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA. alhosnim@slu.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Hosni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duenas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawk
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Borghese
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cahoon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ferrelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soll
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D001724:Birth Weight; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013289:Streptococcaceae; D015430:Weight Gain