title: Probiotics in neonatology.
abstract: Probiotics are micro-organisms that confer health benefits on the host. Postulated mechanisms include: increasing resistance of the mucosal barrier to migration of bacteria and their toxins by strengthening intestinal cell junctions, modification of host response to microbial products, augmentation of immunoglobulin A mucosal responses, enhancement of enteral nutrition to inhibit the growth of pathogens; production of antimicrobial proteins; and competitive exclusion of potential pathogens. Published meta-analyses and systematic reviews report the effects of probiotics on important clinical outcomes in neonates. This paper will review the evidence for probiotic supplementation in neonatology, with a focus on preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Women's Centre for Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. leah.hickey@thewomens.org.au
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garland
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009359:Neonatology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*