title: Probiotics for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis: an updated meta-analysis.
abstract: Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the prophylactic use of probiotics in preterm infants aimed at reducing the rate of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). There are 4 meta-analyses on this subject. 2 more RCTs have been published since these meta-analyses were completed. Each meta-analysis, as well as the 2 recent RCTs, document reduced rates of NEC and mortality with the use of prophylactic probiotics. We calculated meta-analyses based on 3 approaches: A - RCTs common to all meta-analyses, B - RCTs ever accounted for in a meta-analysis but not common to all, and C - the 2 recent RCTs. The 3 subgroups yield similar results, with an overall reduction in the relative risk (RR) of NEC (Bell > or =2) to 0.35 (95% CI 0.23-0.55) and of mortality to 0.41 (0.28-0.60). NEC rates and mortalities in the dominant RCTs are in the range reported from North American and European networks. Best results appear to be achieved with probiotics based on 2 or more probiotic species and/or with a combination of Bifidusbacterium spp. and Lactobacillus acidophilus. No unwanted side effects have been reported among 1 117 infants randomized to receive probiotics. We conclude that probiotics are safe and beneficial in preterm infants at risk for NEC.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Neonatologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. florian.guthmann@charite.de
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guthmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kluthe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bührer
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D009656:North America; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012306:Risk; D015996:Survival Rate