LTF and necrotizing enterocolitis: NMA indicated the following ranking from most to least effective in decreasing the incidence of NEC in preterm infants: arginine, probiotics, prebiotics, erythropoietin, lactoferrin, glutamine, placebo; for the reduction of NEC-associated sepsis events: lactoferrin, prebiotics, erythropoietin, probiotics, arginine, glutamine, placebo; and for the reduction of overall mortality: prebiotics, arginine, probiotics, erythropoietin, lactoferrin, glutamine, placebo.