| Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common diseases in preterm infants' gastrointestinal tract. The world prevalence of this condition is 7% in infants with a birth weight between 500 and 1500 g, while in Chile the incidence is about 1.8 per 1000 newborn. The literature describes preventive approaches such as the use of probiotics. Objective: To identify in the literature the probiotic supplementation utility, for preventing Necrotizing Enterocolitis in preterm infants. Study Design: Systematic Review. Results: Only one study presented results from a direct relationship between the use of probiotics with a lower incidence of NEC stage II. In the other, the differences were not statistically significant, but effects such as an improvement on alimentary tolerance were described. Conclusions: Probiotics improved feeding tolerance. No studies proving association between the use of probiotics with the prevention of NEC were found. It must consider future research's lines to possible adverse effects in use of probiotics, the type of probiotic, the initiation or treatment duration.
Keywords: Enterocolitis, necrotizing, neonatal, probiotics, prophylaxis, prevention, newborn. |
