Objective: To assess the effectiveness/safety of supplementary inositol to preterm infants in reducing adverse neonatal outcomes.Methods: Meta-analyses of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed. Medline, Embase, and Reference Update Databases were searched in Nov.1995 using key words: inositol and infant-newborn and random allocation or controlled trial or RCT. The reference lists of identified RCTs, personal files and Science Citation Index were searched. Unpublished information was obtained from the authors of one RCT published in abstract form. Data on neonatal outcomes were abstracted independently by the two researchers and any discrepancy was resolved through consensus. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated using Revman®.Results: Five reports of 3 RCTs were identified. Two reports represented duplicate publication. Interim analyses occurred in all RCTs. The important outcomes were: Table

Table 1
Full size table

Conclusion: These meta-analyses demonstrate statistically significant reductions in important short-term adverse neonatal outcomes. A multi-center RCT of appropriate size is justified. Such a RCT should include as outcomes periventricular leukomalacia and neuro-developmental status at 18 months corrected age.