Comparison of Probiotics Versus Zinc in The Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Neonates

Objective: To compare the effect of probiotics versus zinc in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm neonates. Study design: Randomized controlled trial Setting: Department of Paediatric Medicine, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from 29 March 2016 to 15 August 2016. Methodology: A total of one hundred and sixty-four (n=164) preterm infants with gestational age 37 weeks and birth weight 2500 g were enrolled in the study. All the neonates were randomly divided into two Groups. Group A was given probiotics, (lactobacillus acidophilus 1 ml BD), and group B were given Zinc (Zinc sulphate 2 mg/Kg body weight) both starting within the first 3 days of life and continued for two weeks. All the babies were followed for two weeks for assessment of NEC. The significance of the difference in frequency between both groups was assessed by employing chi-square test. Results: Both groups were similar in terms of gender, age, and gestational age. NEC was diagnosed in 2.4% (n=2) babies in group A and in 4.9% (n=4) of patients in group B as per our operational definition. Chi-square test was employed and the difference was not found to be statistically significant (P=0.405). Conclusion: In this study, NEC was observed less frequently in preterm neonates taking probiotics as compared to preterms taking Zinc, both started within the first 3 days of life. However, the difference was not statically significant. We recommend further studies with larger sample size.