Jornal de Pediatria (Versão em Português) (Jan 2013)

Effectiveness of probiotics in the prophylaxis of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Wanderley Marques Bernardo,
  • Felipe Toyama Aires,
  • Renata Mota Carneiro,
  • Fernando Pereira de Sá,
  • Vera Esteves Vagnozzi Rullo,
  • Dennis Alexander Burns

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedp.2012.09.001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 89, no. 1
pp. 18 – 24

Abstract

Read online

Objective: To elucidate the benefits of using probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its complications in preterm newborns. Method: This was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, which included studies retrieved from three databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS), using a combination of the terms (necrotizing enterocolitis) AND (probiotics). Results: 11 randomized trials were included, totaling 2,887 patients, 1,431 in the probiotic group and 1,456 in the control group. There was a reduction in the incidence of NEC (NNT = 25), overall death (NNT = 34), and neonatal sepsis (NNT = 34) in the probiotic group compared to the control group. Patients that received probiotic supplementation had lower food reintroduction time (p < 0.001) and hospitalization time (p < 0.001) when compared to those not receiving probiotics. There was no difference in mortality caused by NEC. Conclusion: In premature newborns, the use of probiotics is effective as a prophylaxis for NEC and its complications.

Keywords