Cochrane: Premature babies are at risk
for blood infection (sepsis) and/or gastrointestinal injury
(necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC). A number of babies with sepsis or
NEC die or develop long-term brain and lung injury despite treatment
with antibiotics. Lactoferrin, which is present in human milk, has been
shown to be effective against infection when tested in animals and in
the laboratory.
Lactoferrin also enhances the ability of babies to fight infection. We found four studies that enrolled 1103 preterm babies. Evidence of moderate to low quality suggests that oral lactoferrin with or without a probiotic decreases sepsis and NEC in preterm infants with no adverse effects. When given alone, lactoferrin decreases deaths among preterm infants. We also found large studies that are ongoing, and their results when available may increase the strength of our analysis. Clarification regarding dosing, duration, type of lactoferrin (human or bovine), and development of preterm babies is still needed.
Lactoferrin also enhances the ability of babies to fight infection. We found four studies that enrolled 1103 preterm babies. Evidence of moderate to low quality suggests that oral lactoferrin with or without a probiotic decreases sepsis and NEC in preterm infants with no adverse effects. When given alone, lactoferrin decreases deaths among preterm infants. We also found large studies that are ongoing, and their results when available may increase the strength of our analysis. Clarification regarding dosing, duration, type of lactoferrin (human or bovine), and development of preterm babies is still needed.
Authors' conclusions:
Evidence of moderate to low quality suggests that oral lactoferrin prophylaxis with or without probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC stage II or greater in preterm infants without adverse effects. Completion of ongoing trials will provide evidence from more than 6000 preterm neonates and may enhance the quality of the evidence. Clarifications regarding optimum dosing regimens, type of lactoferrin (human or bovine), and long-term outcomes are still needed.