Effectiveness of two probiotics in preventing necrotising enterocolitis in a cohort of very-low-birth-weight premature new-borns

According to previous research, the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) decreases after supplementation with probiotics. However, few studies have considered the equivalence or otherwise of different strains of probiotics in this respect. Accordingly, this prospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of 245 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) new-borns to assess the prevalence of NEC after supplementation with the probiotic Inforan^® (Berna Biotech, Madrid, Spain) 250 mg capsules containing 10⁹ cfu of Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC 4356) and 10⁹ cfu of Bifidobacterium bifidum (ATCC 15696); or with Bivos^® (Ferring, Madrid, Spain) containing Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnnosus (LGG) (ATCC 53103) (10⁹ cfu); or with no probiotic supplementation. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariant regression for the duration of parenteral nutrition, length of neonatal intensive care unit stay, use of oxygen therapy and presence of chorioamnionitis. Of the VLBW new-borns in the study group, 65 received Infloran, 108 received Bivos and 72 received no probiotic. A significant association was observed between a reduced presence of NEC Stage ≥2 and probiotic supplementation. The odds risk (OR) obtained was 0.174 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.032-0.936) for Infloran and 0.196 (95%CI: 0.053-0.732) for Bivos. Therefore, both probiotics are associated with a lower prevalence of NEC in VLBW new-borns, with no significant differences.

Indole Tryptophan Metabolism and Cytokine S100B in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Daily Fluctuations, Responses to Methylphenidate, and Interrelationship with Depressive Symptomatology

Background: Indole tryptophan metabolites (ITMs), mainly produced at the gastrointestinal level, participate in bidirectional gut-brain communication and have been implicated in neuropsychiatric pathologies, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: A total of 179 children, 5-14 years of age, including a healthy control group (CG, n = 49), and 107 patients with ADHD participated in the study. The ADHD group was further subdivided into predominantly attention deficit (PAD) and predominantly hyperactive impulsive (PHI) subgroups. Blood samples were drawn at 20:00 and 09:00 hours, and urine was collected between blood draws, at baseline and after 4.63 ± 2.3 months of methylphenidate treatment in the ADHD group. Levels and daily fluctuations of ITM were measured by tandem mass spectrometer, and S100B (as a glial inflammatory marker) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Factorial analysis of variance (Stata 12.0) was performed with groups/subgroups, time (baseline/after treatment), hour of day (morning/evening), and presence of depressive symptoms (DS; no/yes) as factors. Results: Tryptamine and indoleacetic acid (IAA) showed no differences between the CG and ADHD groups. Tryptamine exhibited higher evening values (p < 0.0001) in both groups. No changes were associated with methylphenidate or DS. At baseline, in comparison with the rest of study sample, PHI with DS+ group showed among them much greater morning than evening IAA (p < 0.0001), with treatment causing a 50% decrease (p = 0.002). Concerning indolepropionic acid (IPA) MPH was associated with a morning IPA decrease and restored the daily profile observed in the CG. S100B protein showed greater morning than evening concentrations (p = 0.001) in both groups. Conclusion: Variations in ITM may reflect changes associated with the presence of DS, including improvement, among ADHD patients.

[Efficacy and safety profile of cranberry in infants and children with recurrent urinary tract infection]

OBJECTIVE

Cranberry prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infection in infants has proven effective in the experimental model of the adult. There are few data on its efficacy, safety and recommended dose in the pediatric population.

METHODS

A controlled, double-blind Phase III clinical trial was conducted on children older than 1 month of age to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cranberry in recurrent urinary tract infection. The assumption was of the non-inferiority of cranberry versus trimethoprim. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan Meier analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients under 1 year of age and 107 over 1 year were recruited. Trimethoprim was prescribed to 75 patients and 117 received cranberry. The cumulative rate of urinary infection associated with cranberry prophylaxis in children under 1 year was 46% (95% CI; 23-70) in children and 17% (95% CI; 0-38) in girls, effectively at doses inferior to trimethoprim. In children over 1 year-old cranberry was not inferior to trimethoprim, with a cumulative rate of urine infection of 26% (95% CI; 12-41). The cranberry was well tolerated and with no new adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms that cranberry is safe and effective in the prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infection in infants and children. With the doses used, their efficiency is not less than that observed for trimethoprim among those over 1 year-old. (Clinical Trials Registry ISRCTN16968287).