Probiotics combination to prevent necrotizing entercolitis in extremely low birth weight: a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo, parallel-group trial

Background: The Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating neonatal gastrointestinal emergency. The incidence is inversely proportional to the gestational age (prematurity) and birth weight. Although the diagnosis and treatment are fast, the best way to treat this pathology is the prevention. A recent meta-analysis shows that supplementing enteral feeding with a combination of probiotics can reduce the incidence of NEC and mortality related with NEC in VLBW (very low birth weight infants; <1500g) but it has not clear results, for lack of sample, in the ELBW (extremely low birth weight infants;