Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.

Study answer

What this study found

Overall, evidence was insufficient to show that maternal probiotics during pregnancy or after birth provide clear benefit or harm for preterm infants. When probiotics were given to mothers after birth for preterm infants, there was a potential reduction in time to reach 50% enteral feeds, but the estimate was extremely imprecise. The review did not establish meaningful effects on neonatal morbidity or mortality, and there were no direct data comparing maternal probiotic administration with neonatal probiotic administration. One trial reported reduced maternal mastitis, but the broader…

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in pregnant women at risk for preterm birth and mothers after delivery of preterm infants, including infants born preterm and very low birth weight infants.

Intervention

Maternal probiotic supplementation was given either during pregnancy or after birth to mothers of preterm infants, compared with placebo or no intervention.

Key limitation

The evidence base was small and heterogeneous, with different probiotic strains, doses, and timing of administration across trials.

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Original abstract