الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract BACKGROUND The intestinal flora of breast-fed infants is generally dominated by bifidobacteria which have beneficial properties. Their presence is due to various components of breast milk, including prebiotic substances .These prebiotics have been added to artificial milk formulae so as to mimic breast milk in its action on intestinal flora. METHODS We here report 100 healthy preterms born in our hospital and were admitted to our NICU over a period of 7 months.They were divided into two groups (50 preterms each). Preterms in group 1 were given milk formula enriched wth prebiotics (Bebelac EC containing GOS), while preterms in group 2 were given premature formula not enriched with prebiotics. Preterms in both groups were then compared regarding their growth rate, frequency of stools, development of feeding intolerance, electrolyte disturbance and the development of sepsis during their NICU stay. RESULTS Significant improvement in average daily weight gain and stool frequency in preterms receiving prebiotics observed during their stay (p< 0.05). Significantly less incidence of feeding intolerance was observed in prebiotics receiving preterms (p < 0.05). Sepsis screening through CRP and CBC shift showed significant less incidence of sepsis in preterms receiving prebiotics (p < 0.05). No disturbance in serum electrolytes was noted in either groups. CONCLUSIONS Prebiotics have beneficial effects in feeding preterm infants. |