The effect of probiotics on milk tolerance and prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Bentolhoda Hospital in Bojnurd, Iran, in 2021-2022

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Neonatologist, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran.

2 Neonatologist, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran

3 MD, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran

4 MSc of Nursing, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran.

10.22038/ijn.2026.86291.2663

Abstract

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in infants, which, if not treated promptly, can progress to necrosis, rupture, peritonitis, sepsis, and death. Therefore, the use of probiotics can have health benefits.

Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 86 premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Bentolhoda Hospital in Bojnurd, Iran. In this study, premature infants were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. In the intervention group, after the infant's feeding volume reached 5 cc per kilogram of body weight per day, oral probiotics at a dose of one drop per kilogram of body weight, diluted with normal saline to a volume of 0.5 cc, were administered every 12 hours for 3 weeks.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of variables such as weight at admission, weight at discharge, height at discharge, and head circumference at discharge. However, a statistically significant difference was observed in terms of the difference in weight between admission and discharge, as well as the duration of hospital stay. The average difference in weight between admission and discharge in the intervention group was approximately 90 grams greater than that in the control group. Also, the average duration of hospital stay in the intervention group was approximately 8 days less than that in the control group.

Conclusion: The use of probiotics in premature infants prevents necrotizing enterocolitis and shortens the time to reach full enteral feeding and the duration of hospital stay

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Neonatology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 February 2026

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