title: Role of Enteric Supplementation of Probiotics on Late-onset Sepsis by Candida species in Preterm Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increase in invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is jeopardizing the survival of preterm neonates. Probiotics modulating the intestinal microflora of preterm neonates may minimize enteral fungal colonization.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was to examine whether probiotic supplementation in neonates reduced fungal septicemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, randomized, double blind trial investigating the supplementation of preterm infants with a probiotic was done from May 2012 to April 2013, with 112 subjects randomized into two groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Decreased fungal colonization in gastrointestinal tract. Others: Incidence of late onset septicemia; duration of the primary hospital admission; number of days until full enteral feeds established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Full feed establishment was earlier in probiotics group compared to placebo group (P = 0.016). The duration of hospitalization was less in the probiotic group (P = 0.002). Stool fungal colonization, an important outcome parameter was 3.03 ± 2.33 × 10(5) colony formation units (CFU) in the probiotics group compared to 3 ± 1.5 × 10(5) CFU in the placebo group (P = 0.03). Fungal infection is less in the study group (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The key features of our study were reduced enteral fungal colonization, reduce invasive fungal sepsis, earlier establishment of full enteral feeds, and reduced duration of hospital stay in the probiotics group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Medical College and Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Medical College and Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Jasodhara
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Medical College and Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Debalina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Medical College and Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Pramit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Medical College and Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Swapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
keywords: Fungal; neonates; preterm; probiotics; sepsis