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. 2021 Mar 5;17(1):e1141. doi: 10.1002/cl2.1141
Outcome or subgroup Studies Participants Statistical method Effect estimate
  • 21.

    All‐cause mortality

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 22.

    All‐cause mortality: subgroup analysis: settings

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 221.

    Hospital based

 23 4691 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.65, 0.94]
  • 222.

    Community based

 3 6307 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.25 [0.51, 3.05]
  • 23.

    All‐cause mortality: subgroup analysis: type of probiotics

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 231.

    Preparation contain a single strain of probiotics

 9 2242 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.61, 1.05]
  • 232.

    Preparation contained multiple strains of probiotics

 12 3050 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.58, 1.09]
  • 233.

    Preparation contained synbiotics (prebiotics + probiotics)

 5 5706 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.69 [0.29, 1.61]
  • 24.

    All‐cause mortality: subgroup analysis: type of participants

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 241.

    Study include preterm/low birth weight babies

 25 10587 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.79 [0.65, 0.95]
  • 242.

    Study included term infants only

 1 411 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.38 [0.31, 6.08]
  • 25.

    All‐cause mortality: subgroup analysis: type of feedings

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 251.

    Baby received breastmilk only

 14 7721 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.81 [0.62, 1.05]
  • 252.

    Baby received formula milk only

 1 411 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.38 [0.31, 6.08]
  • 253.

    Baby recieved both both breastmilk and formula milk

 8 2385 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.69 [0.48, 0.99]
  • 254.

    Type of feeding was unclear

 3 481 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.33 [0.63, 2.81]
  • 26.

    All‐cause mortality: subgroup analysis: probiotics preparation

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 261.

    Preparation contained Lactobacillus

10 7002 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.82 [0.63, 1.05]
  • 262.

    Preparation contained Bifidobacterium

1 400 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.43 [0.17, 1.09]
  • 263.

    Preparation contained both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium

13 3110 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.71 [0.47, 1.08]
  • 264.

    Preparation contained Saccharomyces boulardii only

 2 486 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.12 [0.46, 2.71]
  • 27.

    All‐cause mortality: sensitivity analysis: fixed effect models

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 28.

    All‐cause mortality: sensitivity analysis: risk of bias

 26 10998 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.66, 0.96]
  • 281.

    High Risk of bias for randomisation/allocation concealment

 3 285 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.27 [0.05, 1.40]
  • 282.

    Low or Unclear Risk of bias for randomisation/allocation concealment

 23 10713 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.82 [0.68, 0.99]
  • 29.

    Necrotizing enterocolitis (any type)

 30 5574 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.46 [0.35, 0.59]
  • 210.

    Necrotizing enterocolitis: subgroup analysis: probiotic preparation

 30 5574 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.46 [0.35, 0.59]
  • 2101.

    Preparation contained Lactobacillus

13 2738 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.39 [0.25, 0.61]
  • 2102.

    Preparation contained Bifidobacterium

1 400 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.20 [0.09, 0.47]
  • 2103.

    Preparation contained both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium

14 1950 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.49 [0.36, 0.68]
  • 2104.

    Preparation contained Saccharomyces boulardii only

 2 486 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.94 [0.45, 1.95]
  • 211.

    Necrotizing enterocolitis: subgroup analysis: type of feeding

 30 5574 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.46 [0.35, 0.59]
  • 2111.

    Baby receieved breastmilk only

 13 1945 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.43 [0.31, 0.59]
  • 2112.

    Baby receieved formula milk only

 1 93 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.21 [0.03, 1.76]
  • 2113.

    Baby received both breastmilk and formula milk

 9 2445 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.55 [0.33, 0.92]
  • 2114.

    Type of feeding was unclear

 7 1091 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.41 [0.17, 1.00]
  • 212.

    Necrotizing enterocolitis: subgroup analysis: type of probiotics

 30 5574 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.46 [0.35, 0.59]
  • 2121.

    Preparation contained a single strain of probiotics

 12 2679 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.48 [0.30, 0.76]
  • 2122.

    Preparation contained multiple strains of probiotics

 15 2156 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.48 [0.35, 0.67]
  • 2123.

    Preparation contained synbiotics (prebiotics + probiotics)

 3 739 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.28 [0.12, 0.67]
  • 213.

    Necrotizing enterocolitis: sensitivity analysis: fixed effect models

 30 5574 Risk ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.45 [0.37, 0.56]
  • 214.

    Necrotizing enterocolitis: sensitivity analysis: risk of bias

 30 5574 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.46 [0.35, 0.59]
  • 2141.

    Low or unclear risk of bias for randomisation/allocation concealment

 27 5289 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.46 [0.35, 0.61]
  • 2142.

    High risk of bias for randomisation/allocation concealment

 3 285 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.33 [0.09, 1.13]
  • 215.

    Neonatal sepsis

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.70, 0.86]
  • 216.

    Neonatal sepsis: subgroup analysis: settings

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.70, 0.86]
  • 2161.

    Hospital based

 19 3209 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.83 [0.76, 0.91]
  • 2162.

    Community based

 2 5896 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.67 [0.49, 0.91]
  • 217.

    Neonatal sepsis: type of probiotics

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.70, 0.86]
  • 2171.

    Preparation contained single strain of probiotics

 8 1328 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.84 [0.74, 0.96]
  • 2172.

    Preparation contained multiple strains of probiotics

 9 2482 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.81 [0.68, 0.97]
  • 2173.

    Preparation contained synbiotics (prebiotics + probiotics)

 4 5295 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.67 [0.54, 0.83]
  • 218.

    Neonatal sepsis: subgroup analysis: type of feeding

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.70, 0.86]
  • 2181.

    Baby received breastmilk only

 8 6961 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.71 [0.61, 0.83]
  • 2182.

    Baby received formula milk o nly

 2 218 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.59 [0.22, 1.56]
  • 2183.

    Baby received both formula and breastmilk only

 7 1401 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.76 [0.64, 0.90]
  • 2184.

    Type of feeding was unclear

 4 525 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.95 [0.82, 1.09]
  • 219.

    Neonatal sepsis: subgroup analysis: probiotic preparation

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.70, 0.86]
  • 2191.

    Preparation contained Lactobacillus

11 7068 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.74 [0.62, 0.87]
  • 2192.

    Preparation contained Bifidobacterium

1 400 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.81 [0.60, 1.09]
  • 2193.

    Preparation contained both Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus

6 1026 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.83 [0.68, 1.02]
  • 2194.

    Preparation contained Saccharomyces boulardii only

 3 611 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.73 [0.57, 0.94]
  • 220.

    Neonatal Sepsis: Sensitivity analysis: Fixed Effect Model

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.79 [0.73, 0.85]
  • 221.

    Neonatal sepsis: sensitivity analysis: risk of bias

 21 9105 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.70, 0.86]
  • 2211.

    Low or unclear risk of bias for randomization/allocation concealment

 19 8892 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.79 [0.71, 0.87]
  • 2212.

    High risk of bias due to randomization/allocation concealment

 2 213 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.47 [0.25, 0.90]
  • 222.

    Sepsis specifc mortality

 2 4672 Risk ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.21 [0.04, 1.01]