This study evaluates the long term effects of E. coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN-Suspension) probiotic bacteria administration on the number of both, bacterial and viral infections during the first 24 months of infant's life. Half of study participants will receive EcN-Suspension, while the other half will receive placebo. In an additional non-clinical explorative evaluation will furthermore be investigated whether the early intestinal colonization with E.coli strain Nissle 1917 affects the establishment of the intestinal microbiota.
In the course of the present trial the participants will be observed during the first 24 months of life, starting right after birth. All newborns meeting all inclusion criteria and non-fulfilling any exclusion criteria will be included into the trial. Each participant of this clinical trial will be randomly allocated to one of the two trial arms, by using the method of randomly permuted blocks. The newborns will be primarily treated during the first three weeks of life and re-treated after 6 and 12 months according to trial interventional plan. Data on the efficacy and safety will be recorded during control visits after first month, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. A follow-up examination of study participants will be performed two years after the end of the participation in the present trial (i.e. at an age of 48 months), during which each child will be examined for its normal physical and cognitive development (covered by the U8 standardized examination). In addition data on allergic/atopic complaints or symptoms will be recorded. In an additional non-clinical explorative evaluation, it will furthermore be investigated whether the early intestinal colonization with E.coli strain Nissle 1917 affects the establishment of the intestinal microbiota. Therefore stool samples of study participants will be collected at an age of 24 and 48 months. The microbial composition of these samples will be characterized and compared between the two trial arms (EcN vs. placebo).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
567
Initial administration not later than 120h after birth. 14 ampoules a 1 ml are administered within a time of 3 weeks (1 ampoule per day within first week and 1 ampoule every second day within the following two weeks). Subsequent re-administration after 6 and 12 months. 10 ampoules a 1 ml are administered within 10 days (1 ampoule per day).
Initial administration not later than 120h after birth. 14 ampoules a 1 ml are administered within a time of 3 weeks (1 ampoule per day within first week and 1 ampoule every second day within the following two weeks). Subsequent re-administration after 6 and 12 months. 10 ampoules a 1 ml are administered within 10 days (1 ampoule per day).
Krankenhaus St. Elisabeth & St. Barbara
Halle, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Jena - Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin
Jena, Germany
Klinikum Westbrandenburg
Potsdam, Germany
Klinikum Südstadt Rostock - Abteilung für Neonatologie
Rostock, Germany
Number of infections
The total number of infections observed for each participant during its individual study participation standardised per month during the first 24 months of life. An infection is an episode of illness caused by: * Acute upper respiratory tract infections * Acute lower respiratory tract infections * Otitis media * Gastroenteritis * Urinary tract infections The duration of an episode of illness is defined as the time from the appearance of the first symptom of a study relevant infection to the disappearance of the last symptom. Infections that occur concurrently or one after another within a period of 7 days are only counted separately, if they belong to different groups of illness. All rhinitides that occur in the first year of a child's life are considered for the count of the primary efficacy variable. Rhinitides that occur in the second year will only be included if they were accompanied by fever (body temperature higher than 38.4°C during at least one measure).
Time frame: during the first 24 months of life
Severity of the course of infections considered as primary variables quantified as the "duration of infections"
duration of infection = the number of days with at least one symptom
Time frame: during the first 24 months of infants' life
Severity of the course of infections considered as primary variables quantified as the "number of hospital admissions caused by infections"
number of hospital admissions caused by infections
Time frame: during the first 24 months of infants' life
Severity of the course of infections considered as primary variables quantified as the "mean number of in-hospital spent days due to infections"
mean number of in-hospital spent days due to infections
Time frame: during the first 24 months of infants' life
Severity of the course of infections considered as primary variables quantified as the "number of antibiotic treatments due to infections".
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Oddział Kliniczny Noworodków, Wcześniaków z Intensywną Terapią Noworodka wraz z Wyjazdowym Zespołem "N"
Bydgoszcz, Poland
Samodzielny Publiczny Dziecięcy Szpital Kliniczny Oddział Kliniczny Neonatologiiul
Warsaw, Poland
number of antibiotic treatments due to infections
Time frame: during the first 24 months of infants' life
Severity of the course of infections considered as primary variables quantified as the "number of adverse events".
number of adverse events
Time frame: during the first 24 months of infants' life
Severity of the course of infections considered as primary variables quantified as the "tolerance to trial medication".
Tolerance of trial medication will be assessed by the investigator and scored "very good", "good", "moderate", or "poor".
Time frame: during the first 24 months of infants' life