title: [Prophylactic probiotics for preterm infants reduces mortality].
abstract: Meta-analyses indicate that prophylactic probiotics for preterm infants reduces mortality and necrotising enterocolitis significantly. Despite the robust evidence clinicians are reluctant to implement probiotics because the beneficial mechanism is not clearly understood and due to concerns about the safety, the long-term effects, and the optimal treatment regimen. Hence, only few countries and only two-thirds of the Danish neonatal departments use probiotics. Currently three large randomised trials on probiotics vs. placebo are ongoing and it is an ethical dilemma whether to proceed or terminate the trials.
authors.affiliation: Pædiatrisk Afdeling, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark. jesperb5@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brok
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pryds
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects