Background:The network meta-analysis (NMA) investigated the efficacy of six food supplements, namely glutamine, arginine, lactoferrin, prebiotics, synbiotics, and probiotics, in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Methods:MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. Randomized controlled trials comparing different food supplements for premature infants were included. Results:Probiotics (OR, 0.47; 95% CrI, 0.33–0.63), arginine (OR, 0.38; 95% CrI, 0.14–0.98), glutamine (OR, 0.30; 95% CrI, 0.079–0.90), and synbiotics (OR, 0.13; 95% CrI, 0.037–0.37). were associated with a decreased incidence of NEC. Only probiotics (OR, 0.81; 95% CrI, 0.69–0.95) and lactoferrin (OR, 0.74; 95% CrI, 0.54–0.92) achieved lower risk of sepsis. Probiotics (OR, 0.58; 95% CrI, 0.40–0.79), prebiotics (OR, 0.23; 95% CrI, 0.043–0.86), and synbiotics (OR, 0.15; 95% CrI, 0.035–0.50) were associated with lower odds of mortality. Probiotics (MD, -2.3; 95% CrI: -3.7– -0.63) appeared to have earlier age of attainment of full feeding. Conclusions:Based on this NMA, probiotics and synbiotics had the potential to be the top two preferable food supplements.