Bifidobacterium may benefit the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

•Bifidobacterium, as one of the most commonly used probiotics, has been reported having many benefits in many aspects.•Previous analyses have shown that probiotics could reduce the incidence of NEC and death.•The present analysis aims to demonstrate whether bifidobacterium are effective in reducing incidence of NEC.•This analysis showed that bifidobacteria may have a role in preventing NEC in preterm infants.