[Role of probiotics in the prevention of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: A case-control study].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of probiotics in the prevention of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and to investigate the risk factors for NEC.


METHODS
A total of 2528 hospitalized neonates between January 2002 and May 2005 were assigned into either receiving prophylactic use of probiotics bifoco (Prevention group, n=1182) or without probiotics supplementation (Control group, n = 1346). The incidence of NEC was compared between the two groups. The risk factors for NEC were investigated by conditional logistic regression multifactorial analysis.


RESULTS
There were 19 cases of NEC in the Control group (1.41%), but only 6 cases in the Prevention group (0.51%) (P < 0.05). Gestational age (OR = 5.521), hypoxicdouble ended arrowischemic encephalopathy (OR = 3.887), specticemia (OR = 4.854) and critical illness scores (OR = 5.989) were the risk factors for NEC, while the prophylactic use of probiotics was an independent protective factor for NEC (OR = 0.255).


CONCLUSIONS
The prophylactic use of probiotics may reduce the incidence of NEC in neonates.
Li
Lian-Qiao
LQ
Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Quanzhou, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, China. mogenllq@yahoo.com.cn
Wu
Bin
B
Gao
Xuan-Xuan
XX
Wang
Su-Xiang
SX
Zheng
Zhong-Shi
ZS
Xu
Jia-Ling
JL
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*