Meta-regression did not show any significant association between the RR for NEC or LOS and the RR for BPD .
In conclusion , our results suggest that NEC and LOS prevention by probiotics does not affect the risk of developing BPD in preterm infants
Probiotic supplementation reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) and late-onset sepsis ( LOS )  in preterm infants , but it remains to be determined whether this reduction translates into a reduction of other complications .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis to evaluate the possible role of probiotics in altering the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( BPD ) .
Probiotic Supplementation in Preterm: Feeding Intolerance and Hospital Cost
We hypothesized that giving the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri ( L. reuteri ) DSM 17938 to preterm , formula-fed infants would prevent an early traumatic intestinal inflammatory insult modulating intestinal cytokine profile and reducing the onset of feeding intolerance . Newborn were r and omly allocated during the first 48 h of life to receive either daily probiotic ( 108 colony forming units ( CFUs ) of L. reuteri DSM 17938 ) or placebo for one month . All the newborns underwent to gastric ultrasound for the measurement of gastric emptying time . Fecal sample s were collected for the evaluation of fecal cytokines . Clinical data on feeding intolerance and weight gain were collected . The costs of hospital stays were calculated . The results showed that the newborns receiving  L. reuteri DSM 17938 had a significant decrease in the number of days needed to reach full enteral feeding ( p < 0.01 ) , days of hospital stay ( p < 0.01 ) , and days of antibiotic treatment ( p < 0.01 ) . Statistically significant differences were observed in pattern of fecal cytokine profiles . The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 , was increased in newborns receiving L. reuteri DSM 17938 . Pro-inflammatory cytokines : IL-17 , IL-8 , and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels were increased in newborns given placebo . Differences in the gastric emptying and fasting antral area ( FAA ) were also observed . Our study demonstrates an effective role for L. reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation in preventing feeding intolerance and improving gut motor and immune function development in bottle-fed stable preterm newborns . Another benefit from the use of probiotics is the reducing cost for the Health Care service
Meta-regression did not show any significant association between the RR for NEC or LOS and the RR for BPD .
In conclusion , our results suggest that NEC and LOS prevention by probiotics does not affect the risk of developing BPD in preterm infants
Probiotic supplementation reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) and late-onset sepsis ( LOS )  in preterm infants , but it remains to be determined whether this reduction translates into a reduction of other complications .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis to evaluate the possible role of probiotics in altering the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( BPD ) .