LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of organisms and dosing regimens studied prevent a species-specific treatment recommendation from being made .
CONCLUSIONS Preterm infants benefit from probiotics to prevent severe NEC and death
CONTEXT Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in neonates .
The microbiome of the preterm gut may regulate the integrity of the intestinal mucosa .
Probiotics may positively contribute to mucosal integrity , potentially reducing the risk of NEC in neonates .
OBJECTIVE To perform an up date d systematic review and meta- analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants .
Role of Enteric Supplementation of Probiotics on Late-onset Sepsis by Candida species in Preterm Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Background : The increase in invasive fungal infections ( IFIs ) in neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) is jeopardizing the survival of preterm neonates . Probiotics modulating the intestinal microflora of preterm neonates may minimize enteral fungal colonization . Aims : This study was to examine whether probiotic supplementation in neonates reduced fungal septicemia . Material s and Methods : This prospect i ve , r and omized , double blind trial investigating the  supplementation of preterm infants with a probiotic  was done from May 2012 to April 2013 , with 112 subjects r and omized into two groups . Primary outcome : Decreased fungal colonization in gastrointestinal tract . Others : Incidence of late onset septicemia ; duration of the primary hospital admission ; number of days until full enteral feeds established . Results : Full feed establishment was earlier in probiotics group compared to placebo group ( P = 0.016 ) . The duration of hospitalization was less in the probiotic group ( P = 0.002 ) . Stool fungal colonization , an important outcome parameter was 3.03 ± 2.33 × 105 colony formation units ( CFU ) in the probiotics group compared to 3 ± 1.5 × 105 CFU in the placebo group ( P = 0.03 ) . Fungal infection is less in the study group ( P = 0.001 ) . Conclusion : The key features of our study were reduced enteral fungal colonization , reduce invasive fungal sepsis , earlier establishment of full enteral feeds , and reduced duration of hospital stay in the probiotics group
LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of organisms and dosing regimens studied prevent a species-specific treatment recommendation from being made .
CONCLUSIONS Preterm infants benefit from probiotics to prevent severe NEC and death
CONTEXT Necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in neonates .
The microbiome of the preterm gut may regulate the integrity of the intestinal mucosa .
Probiotics may positively contribute to mucosal integrity , potentially reducing the risk of NEC in neonates .
OBJECTIVE To perform an up date d systematic review and meta- analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants .