Assessment of the Role of Probiotics in Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonates

Assessment of the Role of Probiotics in Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonates

Evaluate the preventive value of probiotics on VAP among ventilated neonates.

MV is a critical component of neonatal intensive care, providing essential respiratory support for neonates with severe respiratory distress. However, its use is associated with an increased risk of VAP, a serious nosocomial lung infection. VAP is defined as a pneumonia diagnosed in patients undergoing MV for at least 48 hours and is recognized as the second most common nosocomial infection in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Its incidence ranges from 1 to 63 episodes per 1,000 ventilation days, with variability influenced by the socioeconomic and healthcare development of different regions.Given the complex pathophysiology of VAP, numerous prevention strategies have been proposed for NICUs.Among these strategies, probiotics have emerged.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All term neonates who required mechanical ventilation with ETT for more than 48 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Early-onset neonatal sepsis
2. Pre-existing pneumonia
3. A patient who was unfit for enteral intake.
4. Prematurity <37 gestational weeks.
5. Surgical causes of mechanical ventilation
6. Multiple congenital anomalies and suspected chromosomal anomalies.