Surprising
Extremely preterm infants given L. reuteri scored 7 points higher on language at age 2 — but cognition, motor skills, and growth remained unchanged.
This early finding suggests a possible selective benefit for language, but it comes from a single trial in a fragile, clinical population — far from a general recommendation.
In a randomized trial of 134 extremely preterm infants, those who received Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 from birth until around week 35–36 had an average language score of 90 at age 2, compared to 83 in the placebo group — a statistically significant 7-point gap. However, the probiotic did not improve cognitive scores, motor scores, or growth. The finding is intriguing but preliminary, limited to a very specific patient group.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for Improved Language Score — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- n = 134
- 2025-02-13
- Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
- PubMed: 39945202
- DOI: 10.1111/apa.70030
- Full study breakdown →
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.