Prophylactic Probiotics Reduce Cow's Milk Protein Intolerance in Neonates after Small Intestine Surgery and Antibiotic Treatment Presenting Symptoms That Mimics Postoperative Infection

ABSTRACT Background To examine occurrence of cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) in newborns that underwent small intestine surgery and the clinical profiles of those newborns with postoperative CMPI, and to evaluate the preventive effects of probiotics on CMPI. Methods We retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2009, a total of 30 newborns required surgery on their small intestines. All of these patients had received antibiotics to prevent postoperative infection. Since 2005 we adopted a protocol of targeted probiotic therapy prophylaxis. Results Eighteen patients received probiotic therapy, while twelve did not. One infant among those eighteen patients and eight patients among those twelve developed CMPI, a significantly lower rate for the group with probiotic therapy than that without it (p Conclusions CMPI was induced in newborns after surgery on their small intestines and antibiotics treatment with presentation of symptoms that mimic postoperative infection. Development of CMPI in this population possibly involves disruption of intestinal flora. Administration of probiotics can reduce the incidence of CMPI after small intestine surgery. The elevated CRP level may be useful in the diagnosis of CMPI.