Efficacy of probiotics to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in low birth weight preterm neonates.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of probiotics in prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among low birth weight (LBW) preterm neonates. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Unit-II, Services Hospital, Lahore. Period: September 2019 to February 2020. Material and Methods: A total of 260 LBW preterm neonates were enrolled. All the neonates were allocated to 2 groups with equal number of cases (130 in each group). Group-A was given probiotics whereas placebo was administered in Group-B. All the cases were admitted and follow ups were made up until 7^th day. Occurrence of NEC was recorded among both groups. Results: Out of a total of 260 LBW preterm neonates, 142 (54.6%) were male and118 (45.4%) female. Overall, mean age was noted to be 1.48+0.50 days. Table-I shows that there was no statistical difference among neonates of both study groups in terms of age, gestational age and birth weight (p>0.05). Five (3.8%) neonates in Group-A and 14 (10.8%) in Group-B were found to have NEC. Efficacy of treatment in Group-A was significantly higher in comparison to Group-B. Conclusion: Probiotics are effective in the prevention of NEC in preterm LBW neonates. Prophylactic usage of probiotics among preterm neonates is noted to be helpful in avoiding development of NEC.