Safety and efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature and/or low-birthweight infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious pediatric gastrointestinal disease and a cause of death in neonates, especially in premature infants. The addition of probiotics to the diet can reduce the incidence and severity of neonatal NEC. This meta-analysis explored the preventive effect of probiotics on NEC.Methods: Endnote X9 software was used to search for relevant studies in the Ovid, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The search terms were "probiotics" and "necrotizing enterocolitis". After retrieval, screening, and quality evaluation of the studies, Stata 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results: A total of 10 studies, which collectively included 3,227 patients, were selected for analysis. Of them, 5 used a multiple-strain probiotics, and 5 used single-strain probiotic. Meta-analysis showed that treatment with probiotics could reduce the incidence of severe NEC [risk ratio (RR) =0.

Probiotics to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis and reduce mortality in neonates: A meta-analysis

“…[90] Similar results were found in very preterm and low-birthweight infants. [91,92] However, although the majority of cases of NEC occur among premature infants, a small subset of babies born at term or shortly before (that is, ≥35 weeks of gestation) develop NEC-like gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, frequently in association with other conditions. [93] Additionally, the bacterial colonization pattern of premature infants is distinctly different from that of a full-term infant.…”

Use of Probiotics for Oral Candidiasis: State of the Art and Perspective. A Further Step Toward Personalized Medicine?

“…Among the indication, gut dysbiosis secondary to prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapies, which also deplete saprophytic bacteria, thus favoring the proliferation of pathogenic species, mainly responsible for diarrhea and, consequently, loss of electrolytes and lack of nutrients usually absorbed by a healthy gut mucosa with the appropriate microbiota. Furthermore, probiotics also contrast Clostridioides difficile infections and are used to manage lactose intolerance and prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants [34][35][36][37].…”