Probiotics and prevention of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

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Published on: January 27, 2019

Brandy L Frost1, Michael S Caplan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, NorthShore University Health System/Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Evanston, Illinois 60201, USA. bfrost@northshore.org

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|January 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplementation may reduce necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Ensuring safe, high-quality probiotic products is crucial before widespread use for NEC prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant gastrointestinal emergency in preterm neonates.
  • Current therapeutic options for NEC prevention and treatment are limited, highlighting the need for novel strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical trials assessing the efficacy of prophylactic probiotic supplementation in preterm infants for reducing NEC incidence.
  • To synthesize current evidence on the role of probiotics in NEC prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
  • Evaluation of various probiotic formulations, dosages, and administration protocols used in clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • Evidence indicates that probiotic supplementation can decrease the incidence of NEC in preterm infants.
  • Recent meta-analyses suggest probiotics as a potential preventive therapy for specific preterm infant populations.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics show promise in preventing NEC, a serious condition in preterm neonates.
  • Further research is needed to address variations in probiotic products, safety concerns, and quality control before widespread clinical adoption.
Abstract

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