The Effect of Probiotics on Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Late onset sepsis is a frequent complication of prematurity, associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Probiotics may prevent late onset sepsis in premature infants. The aim of this study was to determine prophylactic effect of oral probiotics in prevention of late onset sepsis of very preterm infants.
This study was a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. Eighty preterm infants born at Cause of hospitalization in all patients was respiratory distress and prematurity. The incidence of late sepsis and death in the intervention group was lower than the control group, which was significant. The mean time to establish full enteral feeding in the probiotic group was lower than the control group. No case of necrotizing enterocolitis was observed. There was no difference in terms of days of hospitalization among two groups (P>0.05).
According to the results, usage of prophylactic probiotics can reduce the incidence of late onset sepsis and its mortality. By consuming probiotics preterm infants could reach the full enteral feeding in a shorter period of time, but the duration of hospitalization not reduced.