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Probiotics for Preterm Infants: A Premature or Overdue Necrotizing Enterocolitis Prevention Strategy?

Sharon Anderson

    Neonatal Network : NN
    |January 24, 2016
    PubMed

    Insights

    Prophylactic enteral probiotics show promise in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. This review highlights their benefits and presents evidence-based protocols for NEC prevention.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant cause of illness and death in preterm, very low birth weight (VLBW), and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
    • Current research focuses on NEC prevention rather than treatment due to its high mortality rate.
    • Prophylactic enteral probiotics are emerging as a supported intervention for NEC risk reduction.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the benefits of probiotics for preventing NEC in high-risk infant populations.
    • To examine key research studies on probiotic use in preterm, VLBW, and ELBW infants.
    • To present evidence-based protocols for NEC prevention using probiotics.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of sentinel research studies on prophylactic enteral probiotics for NEC prevention.
    • Analysis of the safety profile and evidentiary support for probiotic therapy.
    • Development and presentation of two evidence-based NEC prevention protocols.

    Main Results:

    • Probiotics demonstrate a favorable safety profile and growing evidence for NEC prevention.
    • Despite support, widespread adoption by neonatal providers remains limited.
    • The article synthesizes research findings to inform clinical practice.

    Conclusions:

    • Prophylactic enteral probiotics represent a viable strategy for reducing NEC incidence in vulnerable infants.
    • Further research considerations are outlined to strengthen the evidence base.
    • Two distinct, evidence-based protocols are provided to facilitate clinical implementation of probiotic therapy for NEC prevention.

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