Probiotic strategies to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: a meta-analysis
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In brief
In brief
Meta-analysis of 34 studies involving 9,161 preterm infants demonstrates that probiotic supplementation significantly reduces necrotizing enterocolitis incidence, gut-associated sepsis, and mortality. Probiotic mixtures showed superior efficacy compared to single-strain formulations in preventing these complications.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to compare probiotics with placebo for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants and to evaluate the safety and effect and strict effect of specific probiotic genera.
Methods
Data recorded until January 2019 were searched, and relevant academic articles from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were selected by two independent reviewers. Two reviewers independently included randomized controlled trials that compared probiotics and placebo in preterm infants. The outcomes included more than one of the following outcomes: incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, necrotizing enterocolitis-related mortality, incidence of sepsis, and all-cause mortality. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias and quality of evidence.
Results
We identified 34 eligible studies of 9161 participants. This meta-analysis showed an overall advantage of probiotics to prevent the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (3.54%) and gut-associated sepsis (15.59%), and decrease mortality (5.23%) in preterm infants. A probiotic mixture showed a huge advantage and vitality in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (2.48%) and gut-associated sepsis (18.39%), and in reducing mortality (5.57%) in preterm infants.
Conclusion
The probiotic mixture showed advantages over the single strains to decrease the incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis and gut-associated sepsis, and mortality in preterm infants.