Probiotics Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Studies suggest that probiotics prevent the development of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in pre-term infants. Infants treated with probiotics were significantly less likely to develop the illness. While these studies show significant correlation between use and outcome there is still debate whether it should be implemented as standard of care amongst pre-term infants or not, and what the dosage should be in these situations. The implications of this study are far reaching in terms of the use of probiotics for a vast number of illnesses.

Dr. Kerry Ferguson