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Safety and Effectiveness of Probiotics in Preterm Infants with Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Laura N Calvo1, Rachel G Greenberg1,2, Keyaria D Gray1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.

Neoreviews
|March 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants is linked to gut dysbiosis. Probiotics may help by restoring the gut microbiome, potentially reducing necrotizing enterocolitis rates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant cause of illness and death in premature infants.
  • The exact causes of NEC are unknown, but gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) is a suspected factor.
  • Altering the gut microbiome may prevent NEC development.

Approach:

  • This review examines the use of probiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
  • We analyze current research on probiotic safety and efficacy.
  • The potential of probiotics to decrease NEC incidence in preterm infants is discussed.

Key Points:

  • Gut dysbiosis is implicated in necrotizing enterocolitis pathogenesis.
  • Probiotics are increasingly used in NICUs to manage the gut microbiome.
  • Evidence on probiotic safety and NEC reduction is under review.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics represent a potential therapeutic strategy for NEC prevention in preterm infants.
  • Further research is needed to confirm the benefits of probiotics in this vulnerable population.

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