title: Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis with probiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in neonates. The microbiome of the preterm gut may regulate the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Probiotics may positively contribute to mucosal integrity, potentially reducing the risk of NEC in neonates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Structured searches were performed in: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (all via Ovid, from 2013 to January 2015). Clinical trial registries and electronically available conference materials were also searched. An updated search was conducted June 3, 2016.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized trials including infants less than 37 weeks gestational age or less than 2,500 g on probiotic vs. standard therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data extraction of the newly-identified trials with a double check of the previously-identified trials was performed using a standardized data collection tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen additional trials (n= 5,033) were found. The incidence of severe NEC (RR 0.53 95% CI [0.42-0.66]) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.79 95% CI [0.68-0.93]) were reduced. No difference was shown in culture-proven sepsis RR 0.88 95% CI [0.77-1.00].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heterogeneity of organisms and dosing regimens studied prevent a species-specific treatment recommendation from being made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm infants benefit from probiotics to prevent severe NEC and death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sonja C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sawh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Santosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deshpande
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Reynaert
authors.affiliation: Departments of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Jones
keywords: Bifidobacterium; Enterocolitis; Extremely premature; Infant; Lactobacillus; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Newborn; Premature; Probiotics; Saccharomyces