Probiotics Associated With Lower Health Risks in Very Preterm Babies in Sweden

A study from Sweden has examined the relationship between probiotic supplementation and health outcomes among babies born very prematurely.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet analysed data from almost 4,700 premature infants. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that probiotic supplementation was associated with a lower risk of severe intestinal disease and death.

Very preterm infants are particularly vulnerable to complications affecting the gastrointestinal system and other organs. Their immature digestive and immune systems can make the early weeks of life especially challenging.

The findings add to the evidence being considered around nutritional strategies for premature babies. However, observational research can identify associations rather than establish that one intervention directly caused the observed outcomes, making further clinical research important.