Role of probiotics in prevention of nectrotizing enterocolitis in preterm low birth weight neonates

Aim: to compare the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis (nec) in preterm low birth weight (lbw) neonates with and without prophylatically orally administered probiotics. methodology: this randomized controlled trial was conducted at nursery department,jinnah hospital lahore for period of six months after approval of synopsis. 300 preterm neonates with birth weight o six months after approval of synopsis<2.5kg were included through non-probability,purposive sampling technique. neonates wererandomly divided in two groups by using random number tables. group-1 was given probiotics named bifidobacteria prophylactically (hiflora/gutcare one sachet daily) and group-2 neonates were given any probiotics. effectiveness of probiotics was considered if neonate did not show above signs and symptoms of nec. if any 4 out of 5 clinical features of enc observed during study period,the neonate was labeled as suffering from nec. results: the mean gestational age of neonates was 33.27±1.48 weeks. mean gestational age of neonates in probiotic group was 33.38±1.46weeks while mean gestational age of neonates in control group was 33.15±1.49weeks. there were 165 (55%) male and 135(45%) females. there were 44 (14.7%) neonates who develop nec while 256(85.3%) neonates were normal. there were 44 neonates who had nec,out of which 7(4.7%) belonged to probiotic group while 37(24.7%) belonged to control group. conclusion: thus it was concluded from results of this study that probiotics given to pre-term neonates with low birth weight is effective and beneficial. now we are able to recommend probiotics in such delicate cases and can prevent neonates from mortality or severe morbidity.