Efficacy of Bifidobacterium Infantis versus Bifidobacterium Bifidum Probiotic in the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Neonates

Abstract

Background: To compare the efficacy of Bifidobacterium Infantis with Bifidobacterium Bifidum in terms of frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates.
Methods: In this comparative cross sectional study 652 preterm Neonates with gestational age of less than 37 weeks of both genders, were included. They were divided in two groups, one group treated with Bifidobacterium Bifidum and other with Bifidobacterium Infantis. Both groups were managed and monitored for the development of clinical evidence of necrotizing enterocolitis during hospital stay.
Results: Comparison of efficacy in both the groups showed that 92.94 %( n=303) in Bifidobacterium Infantis Group and 96.63 %( n=315) in Bifidobacterium Bifidum Group were treated effectively, p value was calculated as 0.03 showing a significant difference.
Conclusion: Efficacy of Bifidobacterium Bifidum is significantly higher when compared with Bifidobacterium Infantis in terms of frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates.