الفهرس 
THE GIT AS AN ECOSYSTEMOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The intestinal flora of breast-fed infants is generally
dominated by bifidobacteria which have beneficial properties. Their
presence is due to various components of breast milk, including prebiotic
substances .These prebiotics have been added to artificial milk formulae
so as to mimic breast milk in its action on intestinal flora.
METHODS We here report 100 healthy preterms born in our
hospital and were admitted to our NICU over a period of 7
months.They were divided into two groups (50 preterms each).
Preterms in group 1 were given milk formula enriched wth prebiotics
(Bebelac EC containing GOS), while preterms in group 2 were given
premature formula not enriched with prebiotics. Preterms in both
groups were then compared regarding their growth rate, frequency of
stools, development of feeding intolerance, electrolyte disturbance
and the development of sepsis during their NICU stay.
RESULTS Significant improvement in average daily weight gain
and stool frequency in preterms receiving prebiotics observed during
their stay (p< 0.05). Significantly less incidence of feeding intolerance
was observed in prebiotics receiving preterms (p < 0.05). Sepsis
screening through CRP and CBC shift showed significant less
incidence of sepsis in preterms receiving prebiotics (p < 0.05). No
disturbance in serum electrolytes was noted in either groups.
CONCLUSIONS Prebiotics have beneficial effects in feeding
preterm infants.