Lactoferrin and Sepsis: Good News for Low Birth Weight Infants

Lactoferrin reduced the incidence of late-onset sepsis in neonates.

Sepsis continues to be a major cause of death and developmental morbidity among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g). Investigators examined whether lactoferrin — the principal protein in human colostrum — reduces the incidence of late-onset sepsis in VLBW infants. In a prospective double-blind study, researchers randomly assigned 472 infants from 11 neonatal intensive care units in Italy in 2007–2008 to receive orally administered bovine lactoferrin (BLF), BLF plus the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (BLF+LGG), or placebo for 30 days.

Overall, 45 infants had a first episode of late-onset sepsis (occurring >72 hours after birth), with 56 causative isolates. The incidence of sepsis was significantly lower in the BLF and BLF+LGG…

Reviewing Authors

William P. Kanto, Jr.,, MD

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Lactoferrin and Sepsis: Good News for Low Birth Weight Infants

Topics

Reviewing Authors