摘要：Objec.ive: To test the hypothesis that normalizing the intestinal flora by adm inistration of prophylac.ic.probiotic. would provide a natural defense, thereby reduc.ng both the inc.denc. and severity of nec.otizing enteroc.litis (NEc. in p reterm neonates. Study design: Neonates ≤1500 g birth weight were randomized to either rec.ive a daily feeding supplementation with a probiotic.mixture (Bifido bac.eria infantis, Streptoc.c.us thermophilus, and Bifidobac.eria bifidus; Solga r, Israel) of 109 c.lony forming units (c.U)/day or to not rec.ive feed suppleme nts. NEc.was graded ac.ording to Bell’s c.iteria. Results: For 72 study and 73 c.ntrol infants, respec.ively, birth weight (1152 ±262 g vs 1111 ±278 g), gest ational age (30 ±3 weeks vs 29 ±4 weeks), and time to reac. full feeds (14.6 ±8.7 days vs 17.5 ±13.6 days) were not different. The inc.denc. of NEc.was red uc.d in the study group (4%vs 16.4%; P = .03). NEc.was less severe in the prob iotic.supplemented infants (Bell’s c.iteria 2.3 ±0.5 vs 1.3 ±0.5; P = .005). Three of 15 babies who developedNEc.died, and all NEc.related deaths oc.urred in c.ntrol infants. c.nc.usion: Probiotic.supplementation reduc.d both the inc.d enc. and severity of NEc.in our premature neonatal population.