REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that oral antibiotics reduce the incidence of NEC in low birth weight infants .
BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis continues to be a problem , particularly in preterm neonates .
There have been reports published suggesting that the use of enteral antibiotics may be effective as prophylaxis .
This systematic review was undertaken to clarify the issue .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of enteral antibiotic prophylaxis for  necrotizing enterocolitis in low birth weight and preterm infants .
Necrotizing enterocolitis prophylaxis: oral antibiotics and lyophilized enterobacteria vs oral immunoglobulins
We conducted a prospect i ve r and omized trial to compare the efficacy of oral gentamicin versus oral IgA‐IgG for the prophylaxis of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) ;  200 newborns considered at high risk for NEC were assigned to group A ( oral IgA‐IgG , n= 100 ) or group B ( oral Gentamicin , n= 100 ) . NEC was diagnosed in 13 cases in group A and in 1 case in group B between the 3rd and 16th days of life . Surgical treatment was necessary in 3 cases ( 2 in group A ) . All infants survived . We conclude that oral gentamicin is more effective than oral IgA‐IgG in the prevention of NEC in infants at high risk
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that oral antibiotics reduce the incidence of NEC in low birth weight infants .
BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis continues to be a problem , particularly in preterm neonates .
There have been reports published suggesting that the use of enteral antibiotics may be effective as prophylaxis .
This systematic review was undertaken to clarify the issue .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of enteral antibiotic prophylaxis for  necrotizing enterocolitis in low birth weight and preterm infants .