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. 2023 Jul;7(1):e002012.
doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002012.

How frequent is routine use of probiotics in UK neonatal units?

Neaha Patel  1 ; NeoTRIPS Collaborative Group; Katie Evans  2 , Janet Berrington  3   4 , Lisa Szatkowski  5 , Kate Costeloe  1   6 , Shalini Ojha  5   7 , Paul Fleming #  1   6 , Cheryl Battersby #  8
Collaborators, Affiliations

How frequent is routine use of probiotics in UK neonatal units?

Neaha Patel et al. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: There is a lack of UK guidance regarding routine use of probiotics in preterm infants to prevent necrotising enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis and death. As practices can vary, we aimed to determine the current usage of probiotics within neonatal units in the UK.

Design and setting: Using NeoTRIPS, a trainee-led neonatal research network, an online survey was disseminated to neonatal units of all service levels within England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in 2022. Trainees were requested to complete one survey per unit regarding routine probiotic administration.

Results: 161 of 188 (86%) neonatal units responded to the survey. 70 of 161 (44%) respondents routinely give probiotics to preterm infants. 45 of 70 (64%) use the probiotic product Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM/Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-06/B. infantis Bi-26 (Labinic™). 57 of 70 (81%) start probiotics in infants ≤32 weeks' gestation. 33 of 70 (47%) had microbiology departments that were aware of the use of probiotics and 64 of 70 (91%) had a guideline available. Commencing enteral feeds was a prerequisite to starting probiotics in 62 of 70 (89%) units. The majority would stop probiotics if enteral feeds were withheld (59 of 70; 84%) or if the infant was being treated for necrotising enterocolitis (69 of 70; 99%). 24 of 91 (26%) units that did not use probiotics at the time of the survey were planning to introduce them within the next 12 months.

Conclusions: More than 40% of all UK neonatal units that responded are now routinely administering probiotics, with variability in the product used. With increased probiotic usage in recent years, there is a need to establish whether this translates to improved clinical outcomes.

Keywords: microbiology; neonatology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
: Histogram of response rates based on neonatal unit level. LNU, local neonatal unit; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; SCU, special care unit.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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