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Probiotic prophylaxis to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in children on mechanical ventilation: A randomized double-blind clinical trial

Soheil Roshanzamiri, Maryam Alemzadeh, Seyyedeh Narjes Ahmadizadeh, Azita Behzad, S. M. Hashemi, J. Salamzadeh, Bahador Mirrahimi

Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2022

72 participants · 7 citations

Abstract

Purpose Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common nosocomial infections in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Using new strategies to prevent nosocomial infections is crucial to avoid antibiotic resistance. One of these strategies is the utilization of probiotics. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of probiotic prophylaxis in preventing VAP in mechanically ventilated children. Method This study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. The study included 72 children under 12 years of age under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h in the Mofid Children's Hospital. Patients were randomly divided into Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 probiotic recipients (n = 38) and placebo groups (n = 34). In addition to the standard treatment, both groups received a sachet containing probiotics or a placebo twice a day. Children were screened for VAP based on clinical and laboratory evidence. Results The mean age of children in the intervention and placebo groups was 4.60 ± 4.84 and 3.38 ± 3.49 years, respectively. After adjusting the other variables, it was observed that chance of VAP among probiotics compared to the placebo group was significantly decreased (OR adjusted = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09–0.95). Also, probiotic was associated with a significantly lower chance of diarrhea than the placebo group (OR adjusted = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01–0.96). Conclusion Probiotic utilization is effective in preventing the incidence of VAP and diarrhea in…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 72 participants or records.

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