Probiotic Supplementation in the Neonatal Age Group and the Risk of Hospitalisation in the First Two Years: A Data Linkage Study from Western Australia

Abstract

Background: Probiotic supplementation in preterm neonates is standard practice in many centres across the globe. The impact of probiotic supplementation in the neonatal age group on the risk of hospitalisation in infancy has not been reported previously. Methods: Infants born < 32 + 6 weeks of gestation in Western Australia were eligible for inclusion. We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing data from before probiotic supplementation (Epoch 1: 1 December 2008–30 November 2010, n = 1238) versus after (Epoch 2: 1 June 2012–30 May 2014, n = 1422) on the risks of respiratory- and gastrointestinal infection–related hospitalisation. A subgroup analysis of infants born < 28 weeks of gestation was analysed separately for similar outcomes. Results: Compared to Epoch 1, an 8% reduction in incidence of hospitalisation up to 2 years after birth was observed in Epoch 2 (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI); 0.87–0.98), adjusted for gestational age, smoking, socioeconomic status, and maternal age. The rate of hospitalisation for infants born < 28 weeks of gestation was comparable in epochs 1 and 2. Conclusion: Infants exposed to probiotic supplementation in the neonatal period experience a reduced risk of hospitalisation in the first two years after discharge from the neonatal unit.