title: Neurodevelopmental outcome during the first year of life in preterm infants after supplementation of a prebiotic mixture in the neonatal period: a follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to determine the effect of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture (neutral and acidic oligosaccharides) in the neonatal period on neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks and/or birth weight of less than 1,500 g in the first year of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurodevelopmental outcome consisted of tone and motility according to Touwen, motor ability according to the Alberta Infant Motor Scale, as well as vision and hearing were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months corrected age (CA). To adjust for potential confounders, data were analyzed by multinomial or logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 93 of 101 infants (92%) participated in the study (prebiotic mixture group [n = 48] and placebo group [n = 45]). Incidence of suspect and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome and delayed motor ability was not different in the prebiotic mixture and placebo group at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months (CA). Infants with 1 or more neonatal infections or more had a higher incidence of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome (OR: 20.73; 95% CI: 1.31-328.46; p = 0.03) at 6 months CA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture in the neonatal period had no effect on neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants in the first year of life. However, serious neonatal infections in preterm infants were associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome at 6 months, but not at 12 months.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Natalie E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: LeCouffe
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elisabeth A M
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Westerbeek
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, (Pediatric) Physiotherapy, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Petra E M
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: van Schie
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, (Pediatric) Physiotherapy, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Veronique A M
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Schaaf
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Harrie N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Lafeber
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ruurd M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: van Elburg
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D056692:Prebiotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics