OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bacillus bifidus supplementation on the immunity in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.

METHODSFifty VLBW infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit were equally randomized into observed and control groups. The observed group received bacillus bifidus for 14 days after birth in addition to the conventional management, which was applied in the control group. The clinical indicators and relevant immunological parameters in the peripheral blood were observed.

RESULTSThe times required for brine enema was significantly fewer in the observed group than in the control group (P<0.05), while the incidence of diarrhea showed no significant difference (P>0.05). In the observed group, the proportions of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio increased, whilst the proportion of CD3(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes showed no significant change. The levels of immunoglobulin A in the peripheral blood increased in the observed group, while the levels of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G were not statistically changed in the observed group when compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONSBacillus bifidus can improve gastrointestinal symptoms of VLBW infants and have a positive effect on their immunity.