Necrotizing enterocolitis is a severe inflammatory gastrointestinal disease and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality (30-50%) in preterm neonates. An altered newborn's gut microbiota plays a major role in this condition. We hypothesize that secreted factors from one probiotic, Bifidobacterium infantis, could exert anti-inflammatory effects in the newborn's intestine. These observations might lead to ways to prevent excessive intestinal inflammation causing necrotizing enterocolitis.