Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a probiotic for preterm infants: a strain specific systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #probiotics #lacticaseibacillus-rhamnosus #infant-premature #infant-newborn

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a probiotic for preterm infants: a strain specific systematic review and meta-analysis

Ananthan et al., 2024 | Eur J Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ananthan Anitha, Balasubramanian Haribalakrishna, ... Patole Sanjay. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a probiotic for preterm infants: a strain specific systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2024-Oct;78(10):830-846. doi:10.1038/s41430-024-01474-0

Abstract

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a widely used and extensively researched probiotic. Probiotic effects are considered to be strain specific. We aimed to comprehensively assess the strain-specific effects of LGG in preterm infants. A systematic review of RCTs and non-RCTs to evaluate the effect of LGG in preterm infants. We followed the Cochrane methodology, and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) statement for conducting and reporting this review. We searched the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL databases till December 2023. The review was registered in PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022324933. Meta-analysis of data from RCTs that used LGG as the sole probiotic showed significantly lower risk of NEC ≥Stage II [5 RCTs, n = 851, RR:0.50 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.93), P = 0.03] in the LGG group. There was no significant difference in the risk of LOS [7 RCTs, n = 1037, RR:1.08 (95% CI 0.84, 1.39), P = 0.55], mortality [3 RCTs, n = 207, RR: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.42, 2.33), P = 0.99], time to reach full feeds [2 RCTs, n = 19, SMD = 0.11 days (95% CI: -0.22, 0.45), P = 0.51] and duration of hospital stay [3 RCTs, n = 293, SMD: -0.14 days (95% CI: -0.37 to 0.09), P = 0.23]. Meta-analysis of data from non-RCTs showed no significant effect of LGG on NEC, LOS, and mortality. RCTs showed beneficial effects of LGG when used as the sole probiotic in reducing the risk of NEC, whereas observational studies did not. Strain-specific systematic review of LGG provides important data for guiding research and clinical practice.

Key Findings

Strain-specific systematic review of LGG provides important data for guiding research and clinical practice.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 851
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Probiotics
  • Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09