Role of probiotics in the prevention of the enteric colonization by Candida in preterm newborns: incidence of late-onset sepsis and neurological outcome

Objective:to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of gastrointestinal colonization by candida species, of late-onset sepsis and neurological outcome in preterm newborns.study design:a prospective study was conducted in 249 preterms who were subdivided into three groups: one group (n=83) was supplemented with lactobacillus (l.) reuteri, one group with l. rhamnosus (n=83) and the other with no supplementation (n=83). the fungal colonization in the gastrointestinal tract, the late onset of sepsis and clinical parameters were recorded. a neurological structured assessment was further performed at 1 year of age.result:candida stool colonization was significantly higher (p<0.01) in the control group than in the groups treated with probiotics. the l. reuteri group presented a significantly higher reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms than did the l. rhamnosus and control groups. infants treated with probiotics showed a statistically significant lower incidence of abnormal neurological outcome than did the control group.conclusion:the use of both probiotics seems to be effective in the prevention of gastrointestinal colonization by candida, in the protection from late-onset sepis and in reducing abnormal neurological outcomes in preterms.