Probiotics Linked to Fewer Deaths in Babies Born Prematurely
The biggest surprise was the strong association between probiotic use and fewer severe NEC cases requiring surgery.
New research suggests that supplements known as probiotics may be associated with fewer deaths and severe bowel disease in very preterm infants. Swedish scientists from the Karolinska Institutet investigated outcomes of babies born between 28 and 31 weeks gestation. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that infants given probiotics had a lower risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or dying compared to similar babies who did not receive the supplements.
NEC, a severe condition that can lead to surgery and death, was notably rarer among the probiotic recipients, with only one surgical NEC case among 1,571 probiotic-treated infants, compared to 40 cases among 3,124 non-probiotic infants. Researchers noted that Sweden's emphasis on breast milk feeding, family-centered care, and skin-to-skin contact may have contributed to the positive results, and no probiotic-associated sepsis cases were reported among the supplemented infants.
While the findings support the potential benefits of probiotics in supporting the development of a healthy gut microbiome in premature babies, an independent expert cautioned that the study was observational and could not definitively prove that probiotics directly caused the improved outcomes. The research highlights the need for further investigation, especially in extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks, who face the highest risks of NEC and death.
Parents are advised to discuss the potential risks and benefits of probiotics with their baby's medical team before making a decision.
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