MODERN RATIONALE FOR THE USE OF BIFIDOBACTERIUM INFANTIS IN PRETERM INFANTS (Literature Review)

Bifidobacteria are members of the human intestinal microbiota, and some strains can have health-promoting effects. There is now well-documented scientific evidence of the effectiveness of products containing bifidobacteria in treating certain intestinal and extraintestinal pathologies. The probiotic properties of Bifidobacterium to utilise human milk oligosaccharides are known. In this literature review, we will focus on the potential role of bifidobacteria as members of the human intestinal microbiota for the absorption of breast milk oligosaccharides in the nutrition of preterm infants. Studies comparing the effect of probiotics with and without Bifidobacterium on the gut of preterm infants with low birth weight, necrotising enterocolitis, late sepsis and mortality were analysed. The results of the literary review provide indirect evidence that probiotics containing B. infantis may be more beneficial for preterm infants. These findings will help guide future research and clinical practice on the use of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic in preterm infants.