Abstract: Gastrointestinal tissue injury and infections are treated by orally administering Lactobacilli strains. The Lactobacilli strains prevent neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis tissue injury and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Preterm infants, full-term infants, children and adults as well as animals may be given the Lactobacilli strains. The strains are Lactobacillus salivarius strain ATCC 202196 and Lactobacillus plantarum strain ATCC 202195. Further, the strains may be given individually or as a combination of the two strains. In addition, the strains are useful in treating diarrhea. The Lactobacilli strains normalize and balance bacterial milieu in the gastro-intestinal tract. The Lactobacilli strains may be in lyophilized capsule form. The capsule may be an enteric coated slow-release microcapsule. The Lactobacilli strains may also be administered by means of a naso-gastric tube, especially for preterm infants.

Abstract: A method of preventing necrotizing tissue injury in the gastrointestinal tract comprising orally administering glutamine is disclosed. Glutamine protects tissues along the gastrointestinal tract by blocking translocation of bacterial agents such as gram (-) bacteria, other infectious agents, toxins, chemicals and injurious substances. The intraluminal/apical presence of the glutamine optimizes mucosal defense and increases nutrient absorption. Enteral glutamine is useful in treating neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis for reducing inflammation caused by bacterial translocation and injury. Oral glutamine is also useful in treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions. When glutamine is orally administered, it coats gastrointestinal mucosa thereby treating infectious and/or inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is useful in treating pathologic conditions with lowered transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) by acting as a curative agent.

Abstract: Maternal blood unconjugated estriol is used to determine whether steroid treatment has or has not effectively accelerated fetal lung maturation and reduced the risk of RDS. A blood sample is obtained from the mother prior to treating her with steroids and again 24 hours later. The blood cells are separated from the serum and the serum is analyzed for unconjugated estriol concentration in the two blood samples obtained. If the percent change in the estriol concentration of the mother's blood decreases by a significant percentage over the 24 hour period from the start of the steroid treatment, the infant will not develop RDS. If the percent change in the estriol concentration of the mother's blood does not decrease by a significant percentage over the 24 hour period from the start of the steroid treatment, the infant will be at the same risk of RDS as it would have been without the steroid treatment. The information obtained from this test is used to make decisions regarding further treatment.