Effect of bifidbacterium bifidum supplementation on morbidity of very low birth weight infants - bifidbacterium supplementation for very low birth weight infants

A total of 291 VLBW infants were enrolled in the study, B group (n = 160) and P group (n = 131). Among them, 233 infants were established enteral feeding within 21 days after birth, and were received B.bifidum or Placebo until their body weight reached 2000g (119 and 114 infant respectively). There was a significant difference in the establishment of enteral feeding which was 11.0+-3.6 days in B group and 12.1+-3.8 days in P group, respectively (p<0.05). The growth of the infants during the stay in NICU was not different between the groups. However, the incidence of sepsis among all enrolled infants was significantly lower in B group (p<0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of other adverse outcomes. B.bifidum administration to VLBW infants accelerated their enteral feeding after birth without increasing of adverse effects.