Effectiveness of probiotics in the prophylaxis of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To elucidate the benefits of using probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its complications in preterm newborns.

Method: This was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, which included studies retrieved from three databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS), using a combination of the terms (necrotizing enterocolitis) AND (probiotics).

Results: 11 randomized trials were included, totaling 2,887 patients, 1,431 in the probiotic group and 1,456 in the control group.

Adjuvant use of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of neonatal sepsis: a systematic review with a meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate whether intravenous immunoglobulin reduces mortality and length of hospital stay in the treatment of neonatal sepsis.

Sources: The MEDLINE database was searched. The keywords were combined using the following search strategy: [(sepsis OR shock, septic OR infection) AND immunoglobulins, intravenous] AND infant, newborn.

Effectiveness of the association of dexamethasone with antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the association of corticosteroids and the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted through the MEDLINE database. Only randomized controlled trials comparing dexamethasone with placebo in the treatment of pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis were included.