About this trial
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation with a probiotic mixture on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with a history of neonatal antibiotic exposure. The intervention lasts for 6 months. The study hypothesizes that early gut microbiota remodeling via exogenous probiotics can improve neurodevelopment. The primary outcome is assessed by the Gesell Developmental Schedules or the Ages \& Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3). Secondary outcomes include longitudinal changes in gut microbiota composition,targeted metabolomics (such as short-chain fatty acids \[SCFAs\], and systemic inflammatory markers.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Preterm infants with a gestational age between 28 and 37 weeks (inclusive of 28 weeks)
Documented history of neonatal intravenous antibiotic exposure for at least 5 consecutive days during the neonatal period (e.g., in the NICU).
Corrected age of 6 months ± 7days at the time of enrollment.
No systemic antibiotic usage within 14 days prior to screening.
Disqualifiers
Severe congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, or inherited metabolic diseases (e.g., Down syndrome).
Severe neurological disorders or structural brain injuries (e.g., Grade III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, or hydrocephalus requiring a shunt).
Severe chronic diseases affecting growth and development (e.g., congenital heart disease requiring surgery, short bowel syndrome, or severe sequelae of necrotizing enterocolitis).
Concurrent participation in other interventional clinical trials.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Probiotic Mixture (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG)