Current Patterns of Probiotic Use in U.S. Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Multi-Institution Survey.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2024

Identifier

DOI: 10.1055/a-2140-8727

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  Probiotic supplementation is associated with health benefits in preterm infants. The 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statement on probiotic use advised caution, citing heterogeneity and absence of federal regulation. We assessed the impact of the AAP statement and current institution-wide patterns of probiotic use across neonatal intensive care units (NICU) across the United States.

STUDY DESIGN:  A cross-sectional web-based institutional survey using REDCap was emailed to 430 Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) and Pediatrix Medical Group institutions. The survey captured data on probiotic formulations, supplementation, initiation and cessation criteria, reasons for discontinuation, interest in initiating, and AAP statement's impact.

RESULTS:  Ninety-five (22.1%) hospitals, including 42/46 (91%) CHNC and 53/384 (14%) Pediatrix institutions, completed the survey. Thirty-seven (39%) currently use probiotics. Fourteen different probiotic formulations were reported. The common criteria for initiation were birth weight

CONCLUSION:  Probiotic use in preterm infants is likely increasing in NICUs across the United States, but significant variability exists. The 2021 AAP statement had variable impact on NICUs' decision regarding probiotic use. The growing interest in adopting probiotics and the significant interhospital variability highlight the need for better regulation and consensus guidelines to ensure standardized use.

KEY POINTS: · Probiotic use in preterm infants is likely increasing in U.S. NICUs, but clinical variability exists.. · The AAP statement on probiotic use in preterm infants had a modest impact on current practices.. · There's a need for better product regulation and consensus guidelines to ensure standardized use..

Journal Title

American journal of perinatology

Volume

41

Issue

S 01

First Page

2658

Last Page

2665

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Probiotics; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; United States; Infant, Newborn; Cross-Sectional Studies; Infant, Premature; Surveys and Questionnaires; Gestational Age; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Dietary Supplements

Keywords

Probiotics; Neonatal Intensive Care Units; United States; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Gestational Age; Physicians' Practice Patterns; Dietary Supplements

Comments

Grants and funding

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