RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of probiotics in the prevention of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and to investigate the risk factors for NEC. METHODS: A total of 2528 hospitalized neonates between January 2002 and May 2005 were assigned into either receiving prophylactic use of probiotics bifoco (Prevention group, n=1182) or without probiotics supplementation (Control group, n = 1346). The incidence of NEC was compared between the two groups. The risk factors for NEC were investigated by conditional logistic regression multifactorial analysis. RESULTS: There were 19 cases of NEC in the Control group (1.41%), but only 6 cases in the Prevention group (0.51%) (P < 0.05). Gestational age (OR = 5.521), hypoxicdouble ended arrowischemic encephalopathy (OR = 3.887), specticemia (OR = 4.854) and critical illness scores (OR = 5.989) were the risk factors for NEC, while the prophylactic use of probiotics was an independent protective factor for NEC (OR = 0.255). CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic use of probiotics may reduce the incidence of NEC in neonates.