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Iijima S. Clinical Dilemma Involving Treatments for Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants and the Potential Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Narrative Literature Review. J Clin Med 2023; 13:62. [PMID: 38202069 PMCID: PMC10780023 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical gastrointestinal emergency with substantial morbidity and mortality risks, especially for very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, and unclear multifactorial pathophysiology. Whether common treatments for VLBW infants increase the NEC risk remains controversial. Indomethacin (utilized for patent ductus arteriosus) offers benefits but is concerning because of its vasoconstrictive impact on NEC susceptibility. Similarly, corticosteroids used to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia may increase vulnerability to NEC by compromising immunity and altering the mesenteric blood flow. Histamine-2 receptor blockers (used to treat gastric bleeding) may inadvertently promote NEC by affecting bacterial colonization and translocation. Doxapram (used to treat apnea) poses a risk of gastrointestinal disturbance via gastric acid hypersecretion and circulatory changes. Glycerin enemas aid meconium evacuation but disrupt microbial equilibrium and trigger stress-related effects associated with the NEC risk. Prolonged antibiotic use may unintentionally increase the NEC risk. Blood transfusions for anemia can promote NEC via interactions between the immune response and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Probiotics for NEC prevention are associated with concerns regarding sepsis and bacteremia. Amid conflicting evidence, this review unveils NEC risk factors related to treatments for VLBW infants, offers a comprehensive overview of the current research, and guides personalized management strategies, thereby elucidating this clinical dilemma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Iijima
- Department of Regional Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan
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2
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Kolba N, Tako E. Effective alternatives for dietary interventions for necrotizing enterocolitis: a systematic review of in vivo studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37971890 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2281623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates and low birth weight children in the United States. Current treatment options, such as antibiotics and intestinal resections, often result in complications related to pediatric nutrition and development. This systematic review aimed to identify alternative dietary bioactive compounds that have shown promising outcomes in ameliorating NEC in vivo studies conducted within the past six years. Following PRISMA guidelines and registering in PROSPERO (CRD42023330617), we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Our analysis included 19 studies, predominantly involving in vivo models of rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus). The findings revealed that various types of compounds have demonstrated successful amelioration of NEC symptoms. Specifically, six studies employed plant phenolics, seven utilized plant metabolites/cytotoxic chemicals, three explored the efficacy of vitamins, and three investigated the potential of whole food extracts. Importantly, all administered compounds exhibited positive effects in mitigating the disease. These results highlight the potential of natural cytotoxic chemicals derived from medicinal plants in identifying and implementing powerful alternative drugs and therapies for NEC. Such approaches have the capacity to impact multiple pathways involved in the development and progression of NEC symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Kolba
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Elad Tako
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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3
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Sadeghirad B, Florez ID, Chang Y, Forutan F, Zeraatkar D, Morgan RL, Shahid S, Bala MM, Beyene J, Offringa M, Adams-Webber T, Sherman PM, El-Gouhary E, Guyatt GH, Johnston BC. Comparative Effectiveness of Prophylactic Therapies for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: Protocol for a Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials. Int J Prev Med 2018; 9:83. [PMID: 30283615 PMCID: PMC6151977 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_328_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common and devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Current literature on the prevention of NEC has limitations including lack of direct and indirect comparisons of available therapies. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database, and grey literature sources to identify eligible trials evaluating NEC preventive therapies. Eligible studies will (1) enroll preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) and/or low birth weight (birth weight <2500 g) infants, (2) randomize infants to any preventive intervention or a placebo, or alternative active or nonactive intervention. Our outcomes of interest are severe NEC (stage II or more, based on Bell's criteria), all-cause mortality, NEC-related mortality, late-onset sepsis, duration of hospitalization, weight gain, time to establish full enteral feeds, and treatment-related adverse events. Two reviewers will independently screen trials for eligibility, assess risk of bias, and extract data. All discrepancies will be resolved by discussion. We will specify a priori explanations for heterogeneity between studies. For available comparisons between treatment and no treatment, and direct comparisons of treatments, we will conduct conventional meta-analysis using a random effects model. We will conduct a network meta-analysis using a random effects model within the Bayesian framework using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to assess relative effects of eligible interventions. We will assess the certainty in direct, indirect, and network estimates using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Sadeghirad
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ivan D Florez
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Yaping Chang
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Farid Forutan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Heart Failure/Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dena Zeraatkar
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca L Morgan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Shaneela Shahid
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Hygiene and Dietetics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata M Bala
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Beyene
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Offringa
- Hospital Library, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Thomasin Adams-Webber
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philip M Sherman
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Enas El-Gouhary
- Department of Hygiene and Dietetics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Gordon H Guyatt
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Bradley C Johnston
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Systematic Overviews through advancing Research Technology (SORT), Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Anderson S. Probiotics for Preterm Infants: A Premature or Overdue Necrotizing Enterocolitis Prevention Strategy? Neonatal Netw 2016; 34:83-101. [PMID: 26803090 DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.34.2.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Common among preterm, very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a gastrointestinal, infectious disease that remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among this high-risk population. To combat this devastating condition, research efforts have been redirected from treatment toward prevention strategies. Although there are several proposed risk-reduction strategies, one intervention gaining support is the administration of prophylactic enteral probiotics. Regardless of growing evidentiary support and a benign safety profile, neonatal providers have yet to embrace this therapy. This article provides an overview of the proposed benefits of probiotics, focusing on their role as a NEC prevention strategy. A review of several sentinel research studies targeting preterm, VLBW, and ELBW infants is provided. Considerations for ongoing research are reviewed. Finally, two evidence-based NEC prevention probiotics protocols are presented.
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Barriers to Knowledge Translation Regarding the Use of Probiotics as a Risk-Reduction Strategy for Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Adv Neonatal Care 2016; 16:E3-E14. [PMID: 27391560 DOI: 10.1097/anc.0000000000000270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasingly, evidence supports enteral probiotics are an important risk-reduction strategy for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among very low birth-weight and extremely low birth-weight preterm infants. Yet, the majority of providers remain reluctant to implement practice changes. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to better understand the discrepancy between the available evidence and clinical practice regarding the use of probiotics and other NEC prevention strategies in New Jersey. METHODS Using an exploratory descriptive design, a multimodal interprofessional survey was developed and executed to elicit intensive care nursery provider knowledge, views, and current practice. RESULTS Although the sample size was small (N = 29), approximately one-half of respondents familiar with the literature rated the quality of the evidence regarding probiotics as "above average" to "excellent." These respondents were "very likely" to "extremely likely" to recommend probiotics as an NEC prevention strategy; however, none actually prescribed this intervention. The most important reason respondents did not prescribe probiotics was the focus on providing exclusive maternal and donor breast milk feedings. Other confounding factors included provision of oral colostrum care, standardized feeding protocols, and withholding feedings during blood transfusion. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Study results suggested that some providers (primarily nurses) were not familiar with probiotic literature, which may contribute to deficits in knowledge translation to practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH Areas for future study include identifying improved mechanisms for knowledge dissemination, recognizing and addressing barriers and facilitators to knowledge translation, and understanding how probiotics fit and/or contrast with other NEC risk-reduction strategies in the research and clinical settings.
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Abstract
PURPOSE Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in preterm infants, affecting ~6-7% of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Early intervention and aggressive treatment has improved clinical outcomes, but considerable morbidity continues to accrue to NEC survivors. This meta-analysis examines the impact of probiotics on the incidence of NEC and complications among VLBW infants. METHODS A comprehensive literature search for all published randomized control trials (RCTs) assessing the use of probiotics to prevent NEC in VLBW infants was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar (1966-2014). The incidences of NEC, sepsis, overall mortality, and time to reach full enteral feeds were analyzed. RESULTS 20 RCTs involving 5982 preterm VLBW infants were analyzed. Risk of NEC was reduced by 49.1% (RR=0.509; 95% CI, 0.385-0.672; p<0.001), and overall mortality by 26.9% among infants receiving probiotics (RR=0.731; 95% CI, 0.577-0.926; p=0.009). An 8.1% reduction in sepsis was also observed in infants receiving probiotics (RR=0.919; 95% CI, 0.823-1.027; p=0.137). Time to reach full enteral feeds was reduced by 1.2 days among infants receiving probiotics (MD: -1.217; 95% CI, -2.151 to -0.283; p=0.011). CONCLUSION The use of probiotic supplementation in preterm VLBW infants is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of NEC and overall mortality. Additional studies are required to determine the optimal genus, species, and dose of probiotic.
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Stewart CJ, Nelson A, Scribbins D, Marrs ECL, Lanyon C, Perry JD, Embleton ND, Cummings SP, Berrington JE. Bacterial and fungal viability in the preterm gut: NEC and sepsis. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2013; 98:F298-303. [PMID: 23426613 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Evidence suggests that microbial communities in the preterm gut may influence the development of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis. Existing data often neglect fungi and whether bacteria were metabolically active or not. We sought to characterise the bacterial and fungal stool flora of preterm neonates and organism viability and evaluate any associations with NEC and sepsis. PATIENTS 136 stools from 32 patients (<32 weeks gestation) were collected between birth and day 95. Seven infants developed NEC and 13 sepsis. METHODS Stools were analysed by PCR-DGGE for assessment of the total bacterial and fungal communities by analysis of 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA, respectively. In 65 samples (25 infants), the viable (RNA) bacterial and fungal communities were analysed. Analyses were performed to examine the possible effects of demographic or treatment related factors and the development of NEC or sepsis. RESULTS 80 (66 viable) bacterial species were identified overall and 12 fungal (none viable). Total bacterial communities significantly differed between healthy infants and those with NEC or sepsis, with Sphingomonas spp. significantly associated with NEC. Significant drivers of community structure differed based on either total or viable analysis. Antifungal prophylaxis was associated with altered bacterial community and a reduction in bacterial richness was observed in week 4, correlating with high antibiotic exposure. CONCLUSIONS Total and viable communities differ in preterm infants, and non-viable fungal species are present in infants on fungal prophylaxis. Exploration of viability and non-bacterial contributors to the total community may increase understanding of NEC and sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher James Stewart
- Newcastle Neonatal Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Bernardo WM, Aires FT, Carneiro RM, Sá FPD, Rullo VEV, Burns DA. Effectiveness of probiotics in the prophylaxis of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2013; 89:18-24. [PMID: 23544806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2013.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To elucidate the benefits of using probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its complications in preterm newborns. METHOD This was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, which included studies retrieved from three databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS), using a combination of the terms (necrotizing enterocolitis) AND (probiotics). RESULTS 11 randomized trials were included, totaling 2,887 patients, 1,431 in the probiotic group and 1,456 in the control group. There was a reduction in the incidence of NEC (NNT=25), overall death (NNT=34), and neonatal sepsis (NNT=34) in the probiotic group compared to the control group. Patients that received probiotic supplementation had lower food reintroduction time (p<0.001) and hospitalization time (p<0.001) when compared to those not receiving probiotics. There was no difference in mortality caused by NEC. CONCLUSION In premature newborns, the use of probiotics is effective as a prophylaxis for NEC and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley Marques Bernardo
- Associação Médica Brasileira and Conselho Federal de Medicina. Professor, Evidence-based Medicine, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Santos (UNILUS), Santos, SP, Brazil.
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