Researchers studied whether giving helpful bacteria called probiotics to newborns on breathing machines could prevent dangerous lung infections. They followed 80 full-term newborns in a hospital’s intensive care unit for a year. Half received probiotics (good bacteria) twice daily, while the other half received standard care only. The results showed that newborns getting probiotics had fewer lung infections, spent less time on breathing machines, and left the hospital sooner. This suggests probiotics might be a simple, safe way to protect vulnerable newborns from serious infections during their hospital stay.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can giving newborns helpful bacteria (probiotics) prevent lung infections that develop when babies are on breathing machines in the hospital?
  • Who participated: 80 full-term newborns (40 in each group) who needed breathing machines for more than 2 days at a hospital in Egypt. All babies were sick enough to require mechanical ventilation support.
  • Key finding: Only 20% of babies receiving probiotics developed lung infections, compared to 47.5% of babies who didn’t receive probiotics. This means probiotics cut the infection risk roughly in half. Babies on probiotics also came off breathing machines about 10 days earlier and left the hospital about 8 days sooner.
  • What it means for you: If your newborn needs a breathing machine in the hospital, probiotics might be worth discussing with doctors as an additional protective measure. However, this is one study in one hospital, so more research is needed before this becomes standard practice everywhere.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers randomly divided 80 newborns into two equal groups—like flipping a coin to decide who got what treatment. This random assignment helps ensure the groups were similar at the start, making it easier to tell if differences were caused by the probiotics rather than other factors.

One group received standard hospital care plus probiotics (good bacteria) twice daily in powder form. The other group received only standard care. The probiotics contained 1 billion units of lactic acid bacteria—the same type found in yogurt and fermented foods. Babies received this treatment from their first day in the study until they went home from the hospital.

Doctors carefully watched both groups for signs of lung infections using clinical observations and laboratory tests. They also tracked how long babies needed breathing machines and how long they stayed in the hospital.

Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in medical research because they minimize bias and help prove cause-and-effect relationships. By randomly assigning babies to groups, researchers could be more confident that probiotics—not other differences between babies—caused the improvements seen. This study design is much stronger than simply comparing babies who happened to receive probiotics with those who didn’t.

This study has several strengths: it was randomized (reducing bias), it had a clear control group for comparison, it tracked important health outcomes, and it was published in a respected medical journal. However, the study was conducted at only one hospital in Egypt, so results might differ in other settings. The sample size of 80 babies is moderate—larger studies would provide even stronger evidence. Additionally, this is a single study, so the findings need to be confirmed by other researchers before becoming standard medical practice.

What the Results Show

The main finding was striking: lung infections developed in only 20% of babies receiving probiotics compared to 47.5% of babies in the control group. This means probiotics reduced the risk of lung infections by more than half. Statistically, this difference was very unlikely to have happened by chance.

Babies receiving probiotics also spent significantly less time on breathing machines—about 10 days less on average. This is important because breathing machines, while life-saving, can cause complications the longer they’re used. Similarly, babies on probiotics left the hospital about 8 days earlier than babies in the control group, which reduces stress on families and hospital costs.

Beyond lung infections, probiotics also helped with digestive problems. Babies receiving probiotics had fewer feeding problems (17.5% vs. 44%), less vomiting (12.5% vs. 40%), and less abdominal bloating (10% vs. 44%). These digestive benefits are important because newborns on breathing machines often struggle with feeding and digestion.

The digestive benefits were substantial and noteworthy. Feeding intolerance—when babies can’t tolerate food properly—occurred in less than half as many babies in the probiotic group. Vomiting and abdominal distension (bloating) were also significantly reduced. These improvements matter because they allow babies to receive proper nutrition, which supports growth and immune function during critical early development.

Previous research has shown that probiotics help prevent a serious intestinal infection called necrotizing enterocolitis in premature babies and reduce late-onset infections in premature infants. This new study extends that knowledge by showing probiotics may also prevent lung infections in newborns on breathing machines. The findings align with how scientists think probiotics work: they strengthen the gut barrier, compete with harmful bacteria, and boost the immune system. This study is among the first to specifically test probiotics for preventing breathing-machine-related lung infections in newborns.

This study has several important limitations. First, it was conducted at only one hospital in one country, so results might not apply everywhere. Second, the sample size of 80 babies, while reasonable, is relatively small—larger studies would provide stronger evidence. Third, the study didn’t track babies after they left the hospital, so we don’t know if benefits lasted long-term. Fourth, the study didn’t examine potential side effects in detail or test different probiotic types and doses. Finally, this is a single study, and medical practice typically changes only after multiple studies confirm findings.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, probiotics appear promising for preventing lung infections in newborns on breathing machines (moderate confidence level). However, this is one study, so doctors should consider it alongside other evidence before making it standard practice. Parents of newborns requiring breathing machines should discuss probiotics with their medical team as a potential protective measure. The probiotics used in this study contained lactic acid bacteria, which are generally considered safe, but medical supervision is essential in hospital settings.

This research is most relevant to parents of newborns requiring mechanical ventilation in intensive care units, neonatologists (newborn specialists), and hospital administrators. It’s less relevant to parents of healthy newborns or babies with minor illnesses. Premature babies might benefit differently than full-term babies (this study only included full-term newborns), so more research is needed for that population.

In this study, benefits appeared relatively quickly—within the hospital stay. Babies on probiotics developed fewer infections during their time on breathing machines and came off machines sooner. However, this study didn’t track long-term outcomes after hospital discharge, so we don’t know if protective effects continue after babies go home.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If your newborn is prescribed probiotics in the hospital, track: (1) dates and times probiotics were given, (2) any signs of feeding tolerance (ability to digest food), (3) presence or absence of vomiting or bloating, and (4) duration on breathing machine. Share this log with your medical team.
  • Work with your hospital care team to ensure probiotics are given consistently as prescribed. Ask questions about which probiotic strain is being used, the dose, and expected benefits. Keep detailed notes on your baby’s feeding and digestive symptoms to share with doctors.
  • During hospitalization, monitor your baby’s tolerance of feeds, digestive comfort, and breathing machine duration. After discharge, maintain records of any infections or health issues that develop. Report any concerns to your pediatrician, and mention that your baby received probiotics during hospitalization.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Probiotics for hospitalized newborns should only be given under direct medical supervision by qualified healthcare providers. Results from this single study in one hospital may not apply to all newborns or settings. Parents should discuss probiotic use with their neonatologist or pediatrician before making any decisions. This study was conducted on full-term newborns; results may differ for premature infants. Always follow your medical team’s recommendations for your baby’s specific situation.