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. 2016 Oct 5:4:e2429.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.2429. eCollection 2016.

Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis with probiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sonja C Sawh  1 , Santosh Deshpande #  1 , Sandy Jansen #  1 , Christopher J Reynaert #  1 , Philip M Jones #  2
Affiliations

Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis with probiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sonja C Sawh et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

Context: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in neonates. The microbiome of the preterm gut may regulate the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Probiotics may positively contribute to mucosal integrity, potentially reducing the risk of NEC in neonates.

Objective: To perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of probiotics for the prevention of NEC in premature infants.

Data sources: Structured searches were performed in: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (all via Ovid, from 2013 to January 2015). Clinical trial registries and electronically available conference materials were also searched. An updated search was conducted June 3, 2016.

Study selection: Randomized trials including infants less than 37 weeks gestational age or less than 2,500 g on probiotic vs. standard therapy.

Data extraction: Data extraction of the newly-identified trials with a double check of the previously-identified trials was performed using a standardized data collection tool.

Results: Thirteen additional trials (n = 5,033) were found. The incidence of severe NEC (RR 0.53 95% CI [0.42-0.66]) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.79 95% CI [0.68-0.93]) were reduced. No difference was shown in culture-proven sepsis RR 0.88 95% CI [0.77-1.00].

Limitations: Heterogeneity of organisms and dosing regimens studied prevent a species-specific treatment recommendation from being made.

Conclusions: Preterm infants benefit from probiotics to prevent severe NEC and death.

Keywords: Bifidobacterium; Enterocolitis; Extremely premature; Infant; Lactobacillus; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Newborn; Premature; Probiotics; Saccharomyces.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA Flow Diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Forest plot showing the effect of probiotics on severe NEC in all infants.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Forest plot showing the effect of probiotics on culture-proven sepsis in all infants.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Forest plot showing the effect of probiotics on all-cause mortality in all infants.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Forest plot showing the effect of probiotics on NEC in VLBW infants.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Forest plot showing the effect of probiotics on NEC in ELBW infants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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