When a baby is born prematurely, this infant is susceptible to a wide range of health problems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the final months and weeks of pregnancy are crucial for development, and babies who are born earlier are prone to more severe complications as a result.
One complication that has been widely diagnosed among premature infants is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a gastrointestinal disease that causes the deterioration of the bowels. Kids Health notes that this issue typically develops onces breastfeeding has begun. Recently, the clinical journal Pediatrics published a study on the influence of a specific probiotic strain on NEC, late onset sepsis (a blood infection) and mortality. Researchers analyzed the health records of 1,099 preterm infants from New Zealand and Australia.
"The probiotics B infantis, S thermophilus, and B lactis significantly reduced NEC of Bell stage 2 or more in very preterm infants but not definite late-onset sepsis or mortality," the study abstract states. "Treatment with this combination of probiotics appears to be safe."
Further investigation is necessary to confirm the potential benefits of these probiotics for premature infants, but these findings present promising evidence that dietary factors may help counter developmental issues among these high-risk babies.
Probiotics may play a vital role in overall health at all ages, as this good bacteria enhances digestive performance and has even been linked to nutrition for the mind. Click to read more information about our probiotic products including Nutrivene Baby Biotic Powder.