News: Probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in preemies

Enteral supplementation with probiotics (i.e., Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces species and Streptococcus thermophilus) significantly reduces the risk of severe (stage 2 or more) necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality in premature infants weighing more than 1,000 g at birth.

The finding, representing a change in practice, comes from the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group and their analysis of nine relevant published randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials including 1,425 infants.

The researchers calculated that enteral probiotic supplementation reduced the incidence of severe NEC by almost 70% (RR 0.32; 95% CI, 0.17–0.60) and the incidence of mortality by more than half (RR 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25–0.75). No important adverse effects were reported. They could not, however, find evidence of a significantly reduced risk for nosocomial sepsis or days on total parenteral nutrition.

Alfaleh K, Bassler D. Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(1):CD006181.

Cochrane Update: Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;111:1202-1204.