When Evidence Shows We Can Do Better, We Should

A newly published paper is drawing attention across the neonatal community. 

The paper, Multi-strain probiotics for Canadian preterm infants: a call for action, highlights growing evidence that multi-strain probiotics may help reduce the risk of NEC, late-onset sepsis, and death in very preterm infants. The authors argue that the evidence supporting probiotic use has become increasingly difficult to ignore and call for greater consistency in access to this intervention across Canadian NICUs. 

Currently, the use of probiotics for preterm infants varies across Canada. While some NICUs routinely provide them, others do not, creating differences in care depending on where a baby is born and receives treatment.

The publication calls for a coordinated national approach that would allow more premature babies to benefit from evidence-based practices shown to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of serious complications.

For families, this conversation is about more than research. It is about ensuring that when evidence points to opportunities to prevent harm, improve outcomes, and save lives, that evidence is translated into practice.

CPBF is proud to have been represented in this work through Executive Director Fabiana Bacchini, helping ensure that the parent perspective remains part of conversations that shape neonatal care, policy, and practice.

Congratulations to all of the authors and contributors who helped bring this important publication forward.

Read the publication