摘要：Objective: To test the hypothesis that norm.lizing the intestinal flora by adm.inistration of prophylactic probiotics would provide a natural defense, thereby reducing both the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in p reterm.neonates. Study design: Neonates ≤1500 g birth weight were random.zed to either receive a daily feeding supplem.ntation with a probiotic m.xture (Bifido bacteria infantis, Streptococcus therm.philus, and Bifidobacteria bifidus; Solga r, Israel) of 109 colony form.ng units (CFU)/day or to not receive feed supplem. nts. NEC was graded according to Bell’s criteria. Results: For 72 study and 73 control infants, respectively, birth weight (1152 ±262 g vs 1111 ±278 g), gest ational age (30 ±3 weeks vs 29 ±4 weeks), and tim. to reach full feeds (14.6 ±8.7 days vs 17.5 ±13.6 days) were not different. The incidence of NEC was red uced in the study group (4%vs 16.4%; P = .03). NEC was less severe in the prob iotic-supplem.nted infants (Bell’s criteria 2.3 ±0.5 vs 1.3 ±0.5; P = .005). Three of 15 babies who developedNEC died, and all NEC-related deaths occurred in control infants. Conclusion: Probiotic supplem.ntation reduced both the incid ence and severity of NEC in our prem.ture neonatal population.