Port infections--probiotics may cause

[Aboveallislove]

Had quarterly CF appointment a week ago and after reviewing DS's meds which included Culturelle, the dietitian asked if DS had a port. I said no and she explained at the recent CF conference they discussed CFers getting port infections from adding probiotic powder into the port (if I understood correctly). So if you or your little one has a port and uses probiotics you might want to discuss with clinic. fwiw

 

[Rebjane]

I have never heard of this. Is is possible for you to request the literature sited? I don't understand how one could put Culturelle in a port.

 

[Aboveallislove]

I think putting it in the drink that gets put in the port...we open and put in DS drink that he then drinks so I'm thinking that some of the residual or even just opening it by the port. I'll see if I can find out more.

 

[Rebjane]

Hmm. My daughter swallows her pills(takes 4 VSL#3) at a time. No port though. Wouldn't think it a problem if it's pill form?

 

[Aboveallislove]

oh, I'm so sorry...I was totally confusion...it is the powder and opening that causes the problem....she said if he had a port then they'd just have him swallow the pill...yeah, right good luck with that! But no, it isn't an issue with the pill but opening them I guess.

 

[ToriMom]

Did the dietician mean "g-tube" ? My understanding of a port is that it's a sterile access port for meds, saline or heparin via injection. My daughter has a g-tube ......and I can see putting Culturelle in that. I am curious about what dietitician meant.

Michelle

 

[Aboveallislove]

I thought she said port...I'll follow up...I wonder if just opening it causes the problem. I didn't really follow up because ds doesn't have either...

 

[Aboveallislove]

So called dietitian and here's the deal. The powder probiotics when opened near a port (maybe to put into a tube feed) has caused infections in the port...it is the opening of the powder and powder itself. Here's a link for the slides http://www.naspghan.org/files/documents/pdfs/position-papers/probiotics.pdf it is near the end she said.

 

[lilro]

Reading this caused great confusion. Apparently the terms for medical implants are not universal. When I read "port", I picture a port-a-cath, which is for INJECTIONS, not food/nutrition supplements. I would imagine putting anything not designed for injection inside a port would have nasty results. As for putting probiotics inside a feeding tube, I have not heard of negative effects, however I've always taken them by mouth so I can't comment on personal experience.

 

[Aboveallislove]

My understanding is that it s NOT put in a port...it is the capsule opened by a port for purposes of mixing in a drink that is then either drank or put in a feeding tube. I know my earlier explanation was off...so sorry.