Efficacy and Safety of Bifidobacterium longum Supplementation in Infants: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Author:
Guo Huangda1ORCID, Fan Meng1, Hou Tianjiao1, Li Yixin1, Wang Siyue1, Wang Xueheng1, Peng Hexiang1ORCID, Wang Mengying23ORCID, Wu Tao12, Zhang Yumei3ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China 2. Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China 3. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Abstract
Background: Strategies to stabilize and support overall infant health by increasing the number of Bifidobacterium longum in the infant gut are of interest, but few studies have systematically addressed this issue. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium longum use in infants using meta-analysis. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, and SinoMed for publications until 27 July 2022. The main outcomes of interest were weight gain, risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and adverse events. Two authors independently performed study screening, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction. Outcome data were extracted from each included study and combined using mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) and finally combined using a fixed-effect model or random-effect model. Results: A total of 4481 relevant studies were identified, of which 15 were found to be eligible for randomized controlled trials and were included in the meta-analysis. The combined extracted data showed that the intervention group containing Bifidobacterium longum had a significantly lower risk of NEC (RR = 0.539, 95% CI: 0.333, 0.874) compared to the control group. There was no statistical difference between the intervention and control groups regarding weight gain (MD = 0.029, 95% CI: −0.032, 0.090), the occurrence of adverse events (RR = 0.986, 95% CI: 0.843, 1.153), and serious adverse events (RR = 0.881, 95% CI: 0.493, 1.573). Conclusions: Bifidobacterium longum may significantly reduce the risk of NEC in infants as well as being safe; thus, further research evidence is needed on whether there is a benefit on weight gain.
Funder
Peking University Outstanding Discipline Construction Project on Epidemiology and Biostatistics Fujian Provincial Health Technology Project Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Subject
Plant Science,Health Professions (miscellaneous),Health (social science),Microbiology,Food Science
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