Other benefits included fewer episodes of feed intolerance , better weight gain and growth velocity , decreased transition time from orogastric to breast feeds , and increased postpr and ial mesenteric flow .
There were no adverse effects of probiotic supplementation .
Probiotics reduced the time to full enteral feeds  in preterm neonates .
INTRODUCTION The optimization of enteral nutrition is a priority in preterm neonates worldwide .
Probiotics are known to improve gut maturity and function in preterm neonates .
To our knowledge , previous systematic review s have not adequately assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .
OBJECTIVE We assessed the evidence on effects of probiotics on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .
Efficacy of Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus casei oral supplementation on necrotizing enterocolitis in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Probiotics are used for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) because of their positive effects on intestinal motor function , modulation of inflammatory response , and mucosal barrier function . OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess whether the combined use of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium breve may prevent the occurrence of NEC stage ≥ 2 by the criteria of Bell in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants . DESIGN A double-blind , r and omized , controlled clinical trial was conducted in 231 preterm infants weighing from 750 to 1499 g at birth . The intervention group was composed of 119 infants who received human milk with probiotic supplementation ( B. breve and L. casei )  and a control group of 112 infants who received human milk containing no probiotics .  The primary outcome was the occurrence of NEC stage ≥ 2 as defined by Bell 's modified criteria . RESULTS Four confirmed cases of NEC stage ≥ 2 by Bell 's criteria occurred only in the control group . CONCLUSIONS Oral supplementation of B. breve and L. casei reduced the occurrence of NEC ( Bell 's stage ≥ 2 ) . It was considered that an improvement in intestinal motility might have contributed to this result . This trial was registered at www.is rct in.org as number 67165178 ( International St and ard R and omized Controlled Trial )
Other benefits included fewer episodes of feed intolerance , better weight gain and growth velocity , decreased transition time from orogastric to breast feeds , and increased postpr and ial mesenteric flow .
There were no adverse effects of probiotic supplementation .
Probiotics reduced the time to full enteral feeds  in preterm neonates .
INTRODUCTION The optimization of enteral nutrition is a priority in preterm neonates worldwide .
Probiotics are known to improve gut maturity and function in preterm neonates .
To our knowledge , previous systematic review s have not adequately assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .
OBJECTIVE We assessed the evidence on effects of probiotics on enteral nutrition in preterm neonates .