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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
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Published on: January 27, 2019
Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis with probiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sonja C Sawh1, Santosh Deshpande1, Sandy Jansen1
1Department of Pharmacy, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
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 updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants.
Data Sources:
Structured searches were performed in: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (all via Ovid, from 2013 to January 2015). Clinical trial registries and electronically available conference materials were also searched. An updated search was conducted June 3, 2016.
Study Selection:
Randomized trials including infants less than 37 weeks gestational age or less than 2,500 g on probiotic vs. standard therapy.
Data Extraction:
Data extraction of the newly-identified trials with a double check of the previously-identified trials was performed using a standardized data collection tool.
Results:
Thirteen additional trials (n = 5,033) were found. The incidence of severe NEC (RR 0.53 95% CI [0.42-0.66]) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.79 95% CI [0.68-0.93]) were reduced. No difference was shown in culture-proven sepsis RR 0.88 95% CI [0.77-1.00].
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.
