Department of Pediatrics, NorthShore University Health System/Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Evanston, Illinois 60201, USA.
Curr Opin Pediatr. 2011 Apr;23(2):151-5. doi: 10.1097/MOP.0b013e328343d65f.
This review will summarize the clinical trials evaluating the role of prophylactic probiotic supplementation in preterm infants in order to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation in preterm infants reduces the incidence of NEC. In fact, recent meta-analyses have called for the use of probiotics as preventive therapy in subsets of this population. However, although multiple studies have evaluated the use of probiotics for this indication in preterm infants, these trials have used different formulations of bacteria, at differing doses and using varied protocols for administration; thus many unanswered questions remain. In addition, theoretical safety issues and concerns regarding quality of product still need to be addressed.
As NEC remains a serious problem for preterm neonates, proven therapies for prevention and treatment of this dreaded disease are needed. While the evidence does support a future role for probiotics in the prevention of NEC, it is of utmost importance to first ensure that a safe and high-quality product meeting rigorous standards will be provided to these at-risk infants.
本综述将总结评估预防性益生菌补充对早产儿作用的临床试验，以降低坏死性小肠结肠炎（NEC）的发生率。
有证据表明，益生菌补充可降低早产儿 NEC 的发生率。事实上，最近的荟萃分析呼吁将益生菌作为该人群亚组的预防治疗药物。然而，尽管多项研究已评估了益生菌在早产儿中的此适应证，但这些试验使用了不同的细菌配方、不同的剂量和不同的给药方案；因此，仍有许多问题未得到解答。此外，还需要解决理论上的安全性问题和对产品质量的担忧。
由于 NEC 仍然是早产儿的严重问题，因此需要针对这种可怕疾病的预防和治疗的已证实疗法。虽然有证据支持益生菌在预防 NEC 方面的未来作用，但首先确保为这些高危婴儿提供安全且符合严格标准的高质量产品至关重要。
