| Summary: | Objective: The use of probiotics is increasingly popular in preterm neonates, as they may prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) sepsis and improve growth and feeding tolerance. There is only limited literature on Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I‐745 (S. boulardii) in preterm infants.
Method: A prospective, randomized, case‐controlled trial with the probiotic S. boulardii (50 mg/kg twice daily) was conducted in newborns with a gestational age of 30 to 37 weeks and a birth weight between 1,500 to 2,500 g.
Results: 125 neonates were enrolled; 63 in the treatment and 62 in the control group. Weight gain (16.14 ± 1.96 vs. 10.73 ± 1.77 g/kg/day, p < 0.05) and formula intake at maximal enteral feeding (128.4 ± 6.7 vs. 112.3 ± 7.2 mL/kg/day, p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the intervention group. Once enteral feeding was started, the time needed to reach full enteral feeding was significantly shorter in the probiotic group (0.4 ± 0.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.5 days, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in sepsis. NEC did not occur. No adverse effects related to S. boulardii were observed.
Conclusion: Prophylactic supplementation of S. boulardii at a dose of 50 mg/kg twice a day improved weight gain, improved feeding tolerance, and had no adverse effects in preterm infants > 30 weeks old.
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