Observational studyBMJ paediatrics open2025
Description of probiotic use in preterm infants in England and Wales 2016-2022.
Observational study in BMJ paediatrics open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Probiotics and Risk of Death, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and Sepsis in Very Preterm Infants.JAMA network open · 2026Article
- PROTECT-Preterm: emulating target trials of dynamic probiotic strategies for necrotising enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis and mortality in very preterm infants - a study protocol.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Article
- From microbes to milestones: Gut bacterial abundances and functional pathways associate with neurodevelopment following preterm birth.Gut microbiology · 2026Article
- Global perspectives on probiotic use to reduce NEC.Pediatric research · 2026Article
- Evaluating the effect of probiotics on severe necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestation in England and Wales: a propensity-matched population study.The Lancet regional health. Europe · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo describe the use of probiotics among preterm infants in neonatal units and explore factors that influence exposure.
designObservational study using prospectively recorded health data.
settingEngland and Wales. PATIENTS: 48 048 infants born at <32 weeks gestational age (GA) and admitted to a neonatal unit between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2022.
main outcome measuresMeasures of probiotic use (number and proportion of infants exposed to probiotics, postnatal age of first probiotic exposure and discontinuation).
resultsThe proportion of infants who received probiotics increased from 9% to 54% over the study period. Median GA of infants given probiotics was 29
conclusionsBy 2022, over half of infants born at <32 weeks GA were exposed to probiotics, but almost one quarter did not receive them despite being in a probiotic unit. Our findings help inform the interpretation of observational data and the design of future studies addressing the continued uncertainty around the safety and efficacy of probiotics.
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