Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

The Effect of Enteral Nutrition with Low-Dose Lactulose on the Occurrence of Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Infants with Very Low Birth Weight

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
Amir Mohammad Armanian 1
Shamim Shafieiyoon 2
Shaghayegh Dehghani 2
Elaheh Shirani 3
Nima Salehimehr 4
1 Associate Professor, Child Growth and Development Research Center AND Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Student of Medicine, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Resident, Child Growth and Development Research Center AND Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 General Practitioner, Department of Health, Almahdi Mehr Higher Education Institute, Isfahan, Iran
10.22122/jims.v36i510.10919
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-dose lactulose as a prebiotic on the prevention of sepsis in infants with very low birth weight.Methods: In a clinical trial study, 50 infants with very low birth weight were selected, and randomly divided into two groups of 25. The first group received low-dose lactulose feeding, and the second group received distilled water feeding as placebo. The frequency of late-onset neonatal sepsis was determined and compared between the two groups.Findings: Late onset neonatal sepsis was seen in 14.8% and 40.0% of infants in lactulose and placebo group, respectively (P = 0.040). Moreover, the time to reach full dose enteral nutrition was significantly shorter in the lactulose group (12.85 ± 3.33 days) compared to placebo group (15.20 ± 5.24 days) (P = 0.030).Conclusion: As a prebiotic in infants with very low birth weight, lactulose feeding is beneficial and without side effects in late-onset neonatal sepsis. These findings show the possible beneficial effects of prebiotics, and requires further studies with larger sample sizes.
Keywords
Sepsis
Neonate
Lactulose
Prebiotics
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 36, Issue 510 - Serial Number 510
November and December 2019
Pages 1591-1596

  • Receive Date 13 October 2018
  • Accept Date 06 April 2022