Abstract
Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 50, Issue 4 p. 324-324 Heads UpFree Access Probiotics reduce necrotising enterocolitis First published: 03 April 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12533_3AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL A Cochrane systematic review reports that probiotics reduce necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and also reduce all-cause mortality in infants <1500 g birthweight but do not reduce sepsis.1 However, the studies in the meta-analysis were mostly conducted in resource-poor settings, and routine use of probiotics in industrialised countries is controversial. A large Australasian randomised controlled trial of 1109 infants <1500 g compared a probiotic combination of Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus with placebo.2 The primary outcome, late sepsis, was not significantly reduced by probiotics, and mortality was almost identical. However, the incidence of NEC was halved in association with probiotics (2.0% vs. 4.4%, relative risk = 0.46, 95% confidence intervals 0.23–0.93). Probiotics needed to be given to 43 infants to prevent one case of NEC, and there were no adverse effects associated with probiotic use. These data strengthen the evidence that probiotics reduce the incidence of NEC in resource-rich as well as resource-poor settings. Many Australasian neonatal units now give probiotics routinely to infants <1500 g. References 1 AlFaleh K et al. Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2011; (3): Art. No.: CD005496, doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005496.pub3. 2 Jacobs S et al. Probiotic effects on late-onset sepsis in very preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics 2013; 132: 1055– 1062. Reviewer: David Isaacs, [email protected] Volume50, Issue4April 2014Pages 324-324 ReferencesRelatedInformation
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