Two new studies show that carefully chosen probiotic strains, when taken daily, can greatly decrease the risk of premature birth and the implications that come with that. 

The American Journal of Clinical Diet published two new statements according to which the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strands are highly beneficial for the protection of necrotizing electrolyte (NEC) – an extremely dangerous implication which may occur in cases of premature birth.

The same journaly has also published another study according to which the consumption of dairy-based probiotic products during pregnancy is related to decrease of premature birth by 18%.

Both studies state without a shadow of a doubt that probiotic strains are of great use to the body of both the expecting mother and the fetus. An additional statement by Johna Rashing and Joseph New from Florida University notes that premature birth (before 37th gestation week), can be the cause of both short-term and long-term health implications and great financial expenses to the parents. 

Despite that, Rashing and New are sceptical towards the new studies and claim that more research is needed before experts can definitely associate probiotics with a healthy birth. 

The term probiotics is defined as „living organism which are beneficial to the health of humans, when applied in sufficient quantities“. 

Health policies cannot be dictated by promises

Rashing and New's comments come as a response to the statements made by the American Pediatric Academy in the last couple of months. The Academy represented by  doctor Dan Thomas, and doctor Frank Greer, as well as the Nutritional Committee of the American Pediatric Academy, branch Gastroenterology, Hepatology and nutrition have noted (doi: 10.1542/ peds.2010-2548) that current research results are promising but more evidence is required, especially when it comes to the treatment of children suffering from gastritis caused by Helicobacter Pylori, IBS, and colics.

Meanwhile the Nutritional Committee states that there are still important matters to be studied when it comes to the clinical applications of probiotics. What needs more information is the duration of their intake, as well the prefered doses and strains. The duration of their effect on gut microflora of children has not yet been established. Their effect on pregnant and breast-feeding women also deserves more research especially in comparison to the biological benefits of intake of probiotics-rich foods by infants.

New Data

The first study that focuses on the necrotizing electrolyte (NEC) was done by a Brazilian team led by Ticiana Duke Braga from the Neonthalogical intensive care unit at the „Professor Fernando Figueira“ Integral medicine institute in Recife. The double-blind study follows 231 prematurely born babies. In the span of 30 days the babies are fed with control milk or with milk enriched with B. Breve and L.casei.

Results show a beneficial effect of probiotics-enriched milk in cases of increased risk of necrotizing electrolyte (NEC). None of the babies that took part in the study has shown sign of the development of the disease, aside from 4 cases from the control group.

In conclusion, the research team states that we must take into account the effects that different probiotic strains have. What is more, further research is need on the matter of which strains are most beneficial when it comes to necrotizing electrolyte (NEC) prevention in prematurely born babies.

More data...

A team lead by Roni Mire from the Norway Public Health Institute has carried on a second research in the form of a epidemiological observation. The study follows 18 888 healthy pregnant women which have been analyzed for a precise frequency of premature birth in cases of probiotics intake.

The team's report states that women who have used the highest doses of probiotics are 18% less likely to experience a premature birth in comparison to those who have not taken any probiotic supplements at all.

The team states that according to their results, higher intake of probiotics-rich foods (which in this case means an average intake of 138,4 ml/gr) shows as a result anywhere between 2.85х109 to 2.0х 1011 probiotic bacteria per gram. 

It is considered that further randomised study should be carried out. Its scope would be to determine whether probiotic containing foods act as a preventative measure while those who do not contain healthy bacteria pose a threat to premature birth. This kind of study would lead to a better understanding of the implications that are common during pregnancy and to creating a more extensive precision protocol in the future.