Table 2.

Randomized controlled trials of probiotic use in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis

Author/year	Design	Arms	Location	N	Gestational age (weeks)	Birth weight (g)
Dani et al, 2002 (14)	Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled	(1) Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG; (2) placebo	12 NICUs in Italy	585	28.4–33.2	961–1729
Bin-nun et al, 2005 (15)	Double-blind, randomized controlled	(1) Bifidobacteria infantis, Streptococcus thermophilus, B. bifidus; (2) milk alone	1 NICU in Israel	145	25–33.6	833–1414
Lin et al, 2005 (16)	Randomized, masked, controlled	(1) L. acidophilus, B. infantis; (2) milk alone	1 NICU in Taiwan	367	25.7–31	828–1346
Samanta et al, 2008 (17)	Randomized, double-blind controlled	(1) B. infantis, B. bifidum, B. longum, L. acidophilus; (2) milk alone	1 NICU in India	186	28.49–31.75	1029–1353
Lin et al, 2008 (18)	Randomized, masked, controlled	(1) fibifidum, L. acidophilus; (2) milk alone	7 NICUs in Taiwan	443	<34	783–1292