Probiotic Use in a Randomized Controlled Trial to Prevent Sepsis and/or Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Neonatal sepsis is a major problem throughout the world. Early detection of neonatal sepsis is difficult because the first signs of this disease may be minimal, especially in preterm infants. The clinical signs are similar to those of non-infectious processes. Definitive blood culture results not being immediately available may prove detrimental. As a result, many babies are evaluated and treated for presumed sepsis with parenteral antibiotics while awaiting microbial isolation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in prevention of Late onset sepsis and or NEC in low-birth-weight babies.