Studies on probiotics for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) show a risk reduction across all studies from 6.6% (165/2493) in the untreated to 2.5% (62/2433) in the treated patients.1 However, modest limitations in all studies, for example, uncharacteristically high-baseline rate of NEC2- warrant cautious risk-benefit consideration. This ambivalence is reflected by the current European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines,3 not officially recommending their use whereas a recent cochrane review4 suggests a change in practice.
展开▼
