Probiotics, prebiotics infant formula use in preterm or low birth weight infants: a systematic review

Study answer

What this study found

Overall, evidence was insufficient to support routine probiotic or prebiotic supplementation of formula in exclusively formula-fed preterm infants. For probiotics, weight gain was not significantly improved (MD 1.96 g/day, 95% CI -2.64 to 6.56; 2 studies, n=34), and major clinical outcomes were also not significantly affected, including necrotizing enterocolitis (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.16; 2 studies, n=162), sepsis (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.45), and mortality (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.04 to 2.85). Stool frequency increased with probiotics (MD 1.60, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.00). For prebiotics, pooled…

Study & population

Systematic review of randomized trials in hospitalized preterm or low birth weight infants who were exclusively formula-fed.

Intervention

Infant formula was supplemented with either probiotics or prebiotics and compared with placebo or unsupplemented formula.

Key limitation

The evidence base was small, with few trials, small sample sizes, short intervention durations, and limited methodological quality.

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Original abstract