Objective: The objective of the study was To determine the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants treated with prophylactic probiotics versus controls.

Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Settings: Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore.

Methodology: The study was started after approval from the ethical review committee. Preterm patients in neonatal period of life, admitted in neonatal ICU were included in the study. Written informed consent was taken from parents / Guardians. Patients were divided in two groups randomly on basis of lottery method. In group A patient was given prophylactic probiotics via oral drop. In Group-B patients were managed routinely without prophylactic probiotics. Standard management of necrotizing enterocoliis including NPO, iv fluids and iv antibiotics was started. Patients were monitored for development of necrotizing enterocolitis which was confirmed by presence of air in wall of intestine (pneumatosis intestinalis) in both groups within 10 days of admission.

Results: Comparison of frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants treated with prophylactic probiotics versus controls shows 4.71% (n=4) NEC in Group-A and 18.82% (n=16) in Group-B whereas 95.29% (n=81) in Group-A and 81.18% (n=69) in Group-B had no findings of NEC, p value was 0.004.

Conclusion: We concluded that the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants treated with prophylactic probiotics is lower when compared with controls.