Current evidence from systematic review and meta- analysis revealed that probiotics are the most promising intervention in reduction of the incidence of NEC in VLBW neonates .
As per the evidence , prebiotics modulate the composition of human intestine microflora to the benefit of the host by suppression of colonization of harmful microorganism and /or the stimulation of bifidobacterial growth , decreased stool viscosity , reduced gastrointestinal transit time , and better feed tolerance .
Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is one of the most serious gastrointestinal emergencies in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) preterm neonates , affecting 7 - 14 % of these neonates .
Due to the seriousness of the disease , prevention of NEC is the most important goal .
Very-low-birth-weight outcomes of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, May 1991 through December 1992.
OBJECTIVES Our goals were to determine the mortality risk for infants weighing 501 to 1500 gm according to gestational age , birth weight , and gender and to document birth weight-related changes in mortality and morbidity over a 5-year time period . STUDY DESIGN In this observational study perinatal data were prospect ively collected by the 12 participating centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network from May 1991 through December 1992 and compared with the corresponding data from 1987 through 1990 . St and ard definitions were used to record sociodemographic factors , perinatal events , and the neonatal course to 120 days of life , discharge , or death . RESULTS The 1991 and 1992 cohort included 4279 in-born infants . Among their mothers 10 % were < 18 years old ; 55 % were black , 31 % were white , and 11 % were Hispanic ; 14 % had received no prenatal care ; and 20 % had received antenatal corticosteroids .  Multiple gestations accounted for 20 % of the births . Fifty percent of the infants were delivered by cesarean section . During 1991 and 1992 the overall survival for infants weighing 501 to 1500 gm at birth was 81 % , compared with 74 % in 1987 and 1988 . Survival at birth weight 501 to 750 gm was 44 % ; it was 81 % at 751 to 1000 gm , 92 % at 1001 to 1250 gm , and 95 % between 1251 and 1500 gm . Female infants had a significantly greater chance of surviving than male infants at similar birth weights and gestational ages . At any given gestational age , smaller infants were less likely to survive . Survival in all birth weight categories increased between 1987 and 1992 , without accompanying increases in medical morbidity . Major morbidity increased with decreasing birth weight and included late-onset septicemia 22 % , chronic lung disease ( oxygen dependence at 36 weeks ' corrected age ) 18 % , severe intraventricular hemorrhage ( grade s III and IV ) 11 % , and necrotizing enterocolitis 5 % . Twelve percent of all infants were treated with corticosteroids for chronic lung disease , including 36 % of infants who were oxygen dependent at age 28 days . The mean length of hospital stay was 69 days for survivors and 18 days for infants who died . CONCLUSIONS Mortality for infants between 501 and 1500 gm at birth has declined over the past 5 years . There are interactions between birth weight , gestational age , gender , and survival rate . This increase in survival was not accompanied by an increase in medical morbidity
Current evidence from systematic review and meta- analysis revealed that probiotics are the most promising intervention in reduction of the incidence of NEC in VLBW neonates .
As per the evidence , prebiotics modulate the composition of human intestine microflora to the benefit of the host by suppression of colonization of harmful microorganism and /or the stimulation of bifidobacterial growth , decreased stool viscosity , reduced gastrointestinal transit time , and better feed tolerance .
Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is one of the most serious gastrointestinal emergencies in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) preterm neonates , affecting 7 - 14 % of these neonates .
Due to the seriousness of the disease , prevention of NEC is the most important goal .