BioGaia said that apart from positive results on gastrointestinal symptoms and hospital stay, supplementation of L reuteri protectis also led to a reduction in number of days of antibiotic treatment compared to the LGG and control groups.
BioGaia claimed that in this prospective, randomised study 249 premature newborns were consecutively assigned to either supplementation of L reuteri protectis (108CFU/day), supplementation of L rhamnosus (LGG, 6x109CFU/day) or no supplementation.
Reportedly, the probiotic supplementation started within 72 hours of admittance to the neonatal intensive care unit and continued for six weeks or until discharged. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of gastrointestinal colonisation of Candida species, of late-onset sepsis and neurological outcome in preterm newborns.
Mario Romeo, professor in neonatal intensive care unit at University of Catania, said: Our study clearly demonstrates the benefits of probiotics in preterms. Especially convincing were the results for L reuteri. The results are very interesting and we believe they will have an impact on the care of premature newborns.”