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Evidence · Systematic review or meta-analysis

Arginine supplementation in prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in the premature infant: an updated systematic review.

Systematic review or meta-analysisBMC Pediatrics2014Over 5 years oldFull text
  • Enteral feeding
  • Inborn errors of metabolism
  • Medical
  • Metabolic, endocrine and renal
  • Necrotising enterocolitis
  • Neurodevelopmental follow-up
  • Nutrition and gastrointestinal

This paper is from 2014, more than five years ago. Newer evidence may have been published since.

Summary

Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing L-arginine supplementation with placebo for preventing necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants of 34 weeks' gestation or less and birth weight up to 1500 g. Two trials were eligible, and pooled analysis suggested a reduction in NEC incidence with L-arginine, without a significant difference in neurodevelopmental disability at three years. The authors conclude that the evidence is intriguing but limited, and that large multicentre trials are needed before routine use.

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