Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for very preterm infants: a randomised placebo-controlled trial -

Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for very preterm infants: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Information type: Randomised controlled trials
Source: The Lancet
Specialities: Emergency medicine and urgent care | Infection and infectious diseases | Nutritional and metabolic disorders | Paediatric and neonatal medicine
Summary
RCT (n=2,203) found that enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin did not reduce the risk of late-onset infection in very preterm infants. Data do not support its routine use to prevent late-onset infection and associated morbidity or mortality in very preterm infants.
UKMi comment
A related commentary discusses this research. It highlights that prevention of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) in infants born very preterm (<32 weeks’ gestation) is paramount because of its associated mortality and morbidity. Lactoferrin has antimicrobial properties is thought to have to potential to be preventive. As indicated by this study however, future research to reduce LOS and necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm infants should look beyond bovine lactoferrin supplementation.
Related links: Commentary