If you eat yogurt, you’re definitely familiar with the concept of probiotics. They’re organisms that promote digestion and enhance the immune system, such as “good” bacteria and yeasts. However, according to a new study, they may not be as beneficial to newborns. probioticseverything.com probiotic newborn probiotic newborn
The study only looks at one patient, a two-day-old Polish infant boy who was given antibiotics and a probiotic medication. The infant weighed only 5 pounds when he was born full term and was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction, which means he grew slowly in the womb. The antibiotics were used to prevent infection, whereas the probiotic (which included the bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) was used to prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
He tested positive for an infection from the same strain discovered in the probiotic four days later, according to a blood test and a genetic test. probioticseverything.com probiotic newborn probiotic newborn
Here’s why we think this happened, and why probiotics aren’t a good idea for babies: Some bacteria from probiotics may infiltrate into a newborn’s circulation due to the weak lining of his intestinal tract (bad). Breast milk is a better option for developing important intestinal bacteria.
There’s a potential that probiotics aren’t inherently harmful to babies in general: we know that some people, such as those with weakened immune systems, have a negative reaction to the microbes. As a result, the baby’s intrauterine growth restriction problem could put him in a completely new risk group that hasn’t been recognized before. Probiotics have never been recommended for babies by the American Academy of Pediatrics, so it may be best to avoid them during the first few months. probioticseverything.com probiotic newborn probiotic newborn
Fortunately, there is a happy ending: the infection caused just sensitivity and weeping, and the baby was at home by the time he was a month old. probioticseverything.com probiotic newborn probiotic newborn
