In studies included in this meta- analysis , probiotic administration was associated with a reduction in NEC-related mortality
Aim of the study Probiotic administration to preterm infants has the potential to prevent necrotising enterocolitis ( NEC ) .
Data from r and omised controlled trials ( RCT ) are conflicting but meta-analyses seem to support this intervention .
To date , these analyses have not focused on surgical NEC .
We aim ed to determine the effect of probiotic administration  to preterm infants on prevention of surgical NEC .
Probiotics Reduce Necrotizing Enterocolitis Severity in HIV-exposed Premature Infants.
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of probiotics on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) in premature infants born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative women . PATIENTS AND METHODS HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed premature infants were r and omized to either the probiotic or the placebo group . The probiotic consisted of 1 × 10(9 ) colony-forming units , Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium infantis per day . RESULTS In total , 74 HIV-exposed and 110 HIV-unexposed infants were enrolled and r and omized . The incidence of death [ 4 ( 5.4 % ) vs. 7 ( 6 % ) ; p = 0.79 ] and NEC [ 4 ( 5 % ) vs. 5 ( 5 % ) ; p = 0.76 ] did not differ significantly between the HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed groups . A significant difference was found for total NEC incidence between the study and control groups [ 3 ( 3 % ) vs. 6 ( 6 % ) ; p = 0.029 ] . The incidence of NEC in the HIV-exposed group differed significantly [ Bells I 2 ( 5 % ) vs. Bells III 2 ( 5 % ) ; p = 0.045 ) . CONCLUSION Probiotic supplementation reduced the incidence of NEC in the premature very low birth weight infants ; however , results failed to show a lower incidence of NEC in HIV-exposed premature infants . A reduction in the severity of disease was found in the HIV-exposed study group
In studies included in this meta- analysis , probiotic administration was associated with a reduction in NEC-related mortality
Aim of the study Probiotic administration to preterm infants has the potential to prevent necrotising enterocolitis ( NEC ) .
Data from r and omised controlled trials ( RCT ) are conflicting but meta-analyses seem to support this intervention .
To date , these analyses have not focused on surgical NEC .
We aim ed to determine the effect of probiotic administration  to preterm infants on prevention of surgical NEC .