Abstract
Introduction: We aimed to determine the effects of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture consisting of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides (SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS) on faecal microbiota, SCFAs, pH and sIgA in preterm infants. Furthermore, we determined perinatal factors associated with faecal microbiota.
Methods: In a RCT, preterm infants with a gestational age < 32weeks and/or birth weight < 1500g received enteral supplementation of SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS or placebo (maltodextrin) between days 3-30 of life. Faecal microbiota, as measured with FISH, and SCFAs, pH and sIgA was assessed at 4 time points: before start of the study, at day 7, 14 and 30 of life. Data were analysed by generalised estimating equations.
Results: In total, 55 preterm infants in the SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS and 58 preterm in the placebo group were included. Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not different between both groups. Enteral supplementation of SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS increased total bacteria count at day 14 (p=0.02, 95%CI 1.18-13.04), but not at day 30 (p=0.31, 95%CI 0.60-5.03). Enteral supplementation of SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS decreased faecal pH (p=0.01, 95%CI 0.54-0.93) and increased acetic acid (p=0.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.21). There was no effect on sIgA (p=0.50, 95%CI 0.28-13.27). Antibiotics delay the intestinal colonisation (p< 0.001, 95%CI 0.08-0.22).
Conclusions: Enteral supplementation with a prebiotic mixture consisting of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides increases the postnatal intestinal colonisation. However, administration of broad spectrum antibiotics decreased the growth of all intestinal microbiota. We suggest that caution should be given when considering initiation with broad spectrum antibiotics in preterm infants.
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Westerbeek, E., Lafeber, H., Knol, J. et al. 89 The Effect of Enteral Supplementation of Neutral and Acidic Oligosaccharides on Intestinal Microbiota, Ph, Scfas and Siga in Preterm Infants. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 47–48 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00089
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00089