What do systematic reviews say?

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth showed no clear difference in preterm birth < 37 weeks' gestation compared with placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.92 [0.32, 2.67]
  4 studies · 518 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 287 participants
  Very low

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 207 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth showed no clear difference in miscarriage/stillbirth compared with placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.79 [0.2, 3.14]
  2 studies · 320 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 298 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 162 participants
  Very low

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Probiotics administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth vs placebo or no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of… showed no clear difference in any necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) compared with maternal placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.44 [0.13, 1.46]
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of… showed no clear difference in death prior to hospital discharge compared with maternal placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.66 [0.06, 6.88]
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of… showed no clear difference in death or NEC compared with maternal placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.53 [0.19, 1.49]
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of… showed no clear difference in surgery for NEC compared with maternal placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.15 [0.01, 2.58]
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of… showed no clear difference in neonatal sepsis compared with maternal placebo or no intervention (low certainty).

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.32 [0.48, 3.61]
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics administered exclusively after birth in mothers of preterm infants vs placebo or no intervention

• Maternal probiotic supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 58 participants
  Low

Probiotics vs control

• Probiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  57 studies · 10918 participants
  Low

Probiotics vs control

• Probiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  54 studies · 10484 participants
  Moderate

Probiotics vs control

• Probiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  49 studies · 9876 participants
  Moderate