Effect of maternal probiotic supplementation on preterm infants: A randomised controlled trial

The study was conducted as a single-blind randomised controlled experimental study to evaluate the effects of probiotics given to mothers on preterm infants. Research data was collected from 56 preterm infants and their mothers who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Şanlıurfa Education and Research Hospital between October 2023 and May 2024. Preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-32 weeks and their mothers were included in the study within the first 24 hours after birth. The study sample consisted of 3 groups: those whose mothers received probiotics (n=18), those who received only breast milk (n=17), and those who received only formula milk (n=21). Mothers in the intervention group were given 80 ml of a probiotic product containing Actiregularis (5×106 CFU\mL), (Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis and Bifidobacterium lactis) strains for 21 days. None of the infants were diagnosed with NEC or LOS. It was found that formula-fed infants received mechanical ventilation for a significantly longer period of time (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between the groups with regard to transition time to oral feeding, discharge time, duration of phototherapy, TSB level at day 5, body weight and head circumference length. However, it was found that the infants in the formula milk group were the last to switch to oral feeding and the last to be discharged. However, the group with the shortest duration of phototherapy, the lowest TSB level on day 5 and the highest/fastest weight gain was the group in which the mothers were given probiotics. This study found that probiotics given to mothers had a positive effect on the overall health of the infants. It is recommended that further studies be carried out comparing different types and combinations of probiotics, with larger samples and longer follow-up periods