title: Therapeutic use of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis: what is the current evidence?
abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and preventive therapies that are both effective and safe are urgently needed. Current evidence from therapeutic trials suggests that probiotics are effective in decreasing NEC in preterm infants, and probiotics are currently the most promising therapy for this devastating disease. However, concerns regarding safety and optimal dosing have limited the widespread adoption of routine clinical use of probiotics in preterm infants. This article summarizes the current evidence regarding the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in the preterm infant, including their therapeutic role in preventing NEC.
authors: Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive Northeast, 3rd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors: Ravi Mangal
authors: RM
authors: Patel
authors: Patricia Wei
authors: PW
authors: Denning
mesh_terms: D001644:Bifidobacterium; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007778:Lactobacillus; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics