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 .
Influence of a combination of probiotics on bacterial infections in very low birthweight newborns
Summary Background Late-onset infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants . The purpose of our prospect i ve r and omised study was to establish whether a combination of probiotics ( Lactobacillus acidophilus , Enterococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium infantum ) affects the incidence of late-onset sepsis and other infections in very low birthweight infants ( birthweight under 1500 g , gestational age under 33 weeks ) . Methods From 80 included infants , one half received probiotics ( L. acidophilus , E. faecium and B. infantum ) in the ratio 1.5:1:1.5 , at a dose of 0.6 × 107 colony-forming units twice daily , given with the first portions of milk until discharge , whereas the other half did not . Results In the group receiving probiotics , 16 children had late-onset sepsis compared with 29 in the group without probiotics ; p = 0.006 . The number of late-onset septic events was lower ( 30 ) in the group receiving probiotics than in the group that did not receive probiotics ( 69 ) ; p = 0.003 . Furthermore , fewer children had at least one late-onset infection ( 20 infants in the group receiving probiotics compared with 32 in the group without them ; p = 0.009 ) . There were less episodes of late-onset infections in the group receiving probiotics ( 35 ) than in the group without probiotics ( 79 ) ; p = 0.002 . Conclusions A combination of probiotics at a low dose ( 1.2 × 107 colony-forming units ) decreased the frequency of late-onset sepsis and other infections , as described in previous studies . In addition , children were discharged at a lower postmenstrual age . There were no side effects of probiotics reported
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 .