The effect of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture of non-human milk galacto-, fructo- and acidic oligosaccharides on intestinal permeability in preterm infants

Study answer

What this study found

The prebiotic mixture did not improve intestinal permeability in the first week of life. The lactulose-to-mannitol ratio decreased from t0 to t2 in both groups (P<0.001), but there was no additional effect of SC GOS/LC FOS/AOS on the decrease in L/M ratio (effect 0.34, 95% CI 0.22, 0.51; P<0.001). Baseline L/M ratios were 0.21 (0.03-2.16) in the prebiotic group and 0.34 (0.06-1.86) in the placebo group, and lactulose and mannitol concentrations did not differ between groups. Breast milk feeding during the first week was associated with lower intestinal permeability, suggesting any…

Study & population

Randomized placebo-controlled trial in preterm infants admitted to a level III NICU.

Intervention

The active regimen was an enteral prebiotic mixture consisting of 80% short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides plus 20% acidic oligosaccharides.

Key limitation

Follow-up was short, with intestinal permeability assessed only during the first week of life, so later effects were not evaluated.

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Original abstract