Introduction:
Preterm infants have an immature gastrointestinal tract with an incomplete establishment of intestinal flora; therefore, they are highly prone to feeding intolerance.To observe the therapeutic effect of specific probiotics (Lactobacillus Reuteri DSM 17938) on feeding intolerance in preterm infants.

Material and methods:
Fifty-six preterm infants delivered between January 2016 and May 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective study. We analysed the clinical data of these children and followed up their treatment outcomes by telephone for 3 to 6 months after discharge. The treatment schemes were scheme A (n = 28), which included adjusted feeding (micro-feeding and intermittent feeding) and oral exercise intervention, and scheme B (n = 28), in which specific probiotics (L. reuteri DSM 17938) were given on the basis of scheme A.

Results:
Among the 56 children were 31 males and 25 females. In scheme B, the duration of switching from intravenous nutrition to full enteral feeding at a gestational age of >28 weeks and a birth weight of ≤1,500 g was significantly different from that in scheme A (P < 0.05). The duration of vomiting at a gestational age of >28 weeks was also statistically significant compared with that of scheme A. There were statistically significant differences in the treatment effect of feeding intolerance in the preterm infants.

Conclusions:
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 combined with the routine treatment of premature infants with feeding intolerance has a better effect. Returning to normal feeding as soon as possible can reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal complications and promote growth in preterm infants.