Impact of probiotics on gut microbiome of extremely preterm or extremely low birthweight infants

Lauren C Beck; Janet E Berrington; Christopher J Stewart

doi:10.1038/s41390-024-03520-w

Impact of probiotics on gut microbiome of extremely preterm or extremely low birthweight infants

Pediatr Res. 2024 Aug 25. doi: 10.1038/s41390-024-03520-w. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lauren C Beck¹, Janet E Berrington^{2

3}, Christopher J Stewart¹

Affiliations

¹ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
² Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. [email protected].
³ Newcastle Neonatal Services, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. [email protected].

PMID: 39183307
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03520-w

Abstract

Meta-analysis of probiotic administration to very preterm or very low birthweight (VP/VLBW) infants shows reduced risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Separately reported outcomes for extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks) or extremely low birth weight infants (<1000 g) (EP/ELBW) are lacking meaning some clinicians do not administer probiotics to EP/ELBW infants despite their high risk of NEC. We present data showing the gut microbiome is impacted in EP/ELBW infants in a similar manner to VP/VLBW infants, suggesting that risk reduction for necrotising enterocolitis that is microbiome driven will also be seen in EP/ELBW infants, making probiotic administration beneficial.