الفهرس 
Bovine colostrum supplementation for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis in preterm infants
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Abstract
Late-onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are still among the leading causes of serious morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.This study aimed to explore the effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis and late onset sepsis in preterm infants.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 120 preterm infants who were randomly assigned to either the bovine colostrum group (n = 60) or control group (n = 60). Necrotizing enterocolitis, culture proven late onset sepsis, clinically suspected late onset sepsis, feeding intolerance, days to achieving full enteral feeding, days to discontinuing total parentral nutrition, length of hospital stay and mortality were documented.
The results of our study revealed that neonates of the bovine colostrum group showed positive trends for reduction of frequency of NEC as well as LOS compared those of the control group, however, these differences were not statistically significant. On the other hand, our results showed highly significant statistical differences between both groups as regards frequency of feeding intolerance, time to achieving full enteral intake, days on parentral nutrition as well as length of hospital stay, where neonates of the bovine colostrum group had a lower incidence of feeding intolerance, earlier achievement of full enteral intake, shorter duration to discontinuing total parentral nutrition and shorter hospital stay.
Bovine colostrum use as a supplement to maternal colostrum (when maternal colostrum was not available), starting as soon as possible after birth until postnatal day 7, significantly reduced feeding intolerance, time to achieving full enteral intake, days on parentral nutrition as well as length of hospital stay compared to supplementation with infant formula. Additionally, supplementation with bovine colostrum instead of infant formula during the first week of life, may reduce the incidence of NEC and LOS in preterm infants.