The impact of probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis) on the treatment, course and outcome of premature infants in the Intensive Care Unit in Mostar

<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this study was to analyse the treatment, course and outcome of premature infants treated with probiotics (<em>Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis</em>) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). <br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Study design:</strong> This retrospective cohort study included 100 preterm infants of gestational age up to 30-34 ^{+ 6/7} weeks. The first group of infants who were given probiotics in their dairy meal in the course of their medical treatment during hospitalization in the year 2014 were compared to a second group of infants who did not receive probiotics in the year 2013.<br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A statistically significant difference in the number of days of treatment in the ICU (p &lt; 0.05), administration of ranitidine (p &lt; 0.05) and feeding intolerance (p &lt; 0.05) was found between the two groups of preterm infants. No statistically significant differences were found in the other variables under study.<br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Probiotics probably have a positive effect on the course and outcome of treatment of premature infants in the ICU. Our newborns who received probiotics spent shorter time in intensive care, they began full peroral intake of milk sooner and received antiulcer medicine for shorter time, which is an important step towards the improvement of treatment outcome in premature infants.