Dysbiosis and Prematurity: Is There a Role for Probiotics?

Nutrients. 2019 Jun 5;11(6):1273. doi: 10.3390/nu11061273.

Abstract

Healthy microbiota is a critical mediator in maintaining health and it is supposed that dysbiosis could have a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. Evidence supports the hypothesis that maternal dysbiosis could act as a trigger for preterm birth; aberrant colonization of preterm infant gut might have a role in feeding intolerance and pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis. Despite several clinical trials and meta-analyses, it is still not clear if modulation of maternal and neonatal microbiota with probiotic supplementation decreases the risk of preterm birth and its complications.

Keywords: Premature” [MeSH]; “Dysbiosis” [MeSH]; “Infant; “Premature Birth” [MeSH]; “Probiotics” [MeSH].

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dysbiosis / complications*
  • Dysbiosis / microbiology
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / microbiology*
  • Microbiota
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / microbiology*
  • Premature Birth / microbiology*
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Vagina / microbiology