Prebiotics for the management of XXXX in preterm neonates.

@entity648 @entity3638
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated if prebiotics have benefits for the management of @entity3638 in preterm neonates. METHODS: Preterm neonates were entered into the study when enteral feeding volume met 30   mL/kg/day. They randomly received a mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosacarids/long-chain fructo-oligosacarids or distilled water (placebo) for 1 week. Total serum @entity648 level was measured by transcutaneous bilirubinometry. Stool frequency and meeting full enteral feeding during the study period were considered as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-five neonates in each group completed the trial. @entity648 level was decreased with the prebiotic (-1.3           1.8   mg/dL, p   =   0.004), but not placebo (-0.1        3.3   mg/dL, p   =   0.416). Peak @entity648 level was lower with the prebiotic than placebo (8.3        1.7 versus 10.1        2.2   mg/dL, p   =   0.003). Stool frequency was increased with the prebiotic (0.7        1.9 defecation/day, p   =   0.014), but not with placebo (0.6           1.5 defecation/day, p   =   0.133). Average stool frequency (2.4           0.4 versus 1.9        0.5 defecation/day, p   =   0.003) and frequently of meeting full enteral feeding (60% versus 16%, p   =   0.002) were higher with the prebiotic than placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Prebiotic oligosaccharides increase stool frequency, improve feeding tolerance and reduce @entity648 level in preterm neonates and therefore can be efficacious for the management of neonatal @entity3638 .
