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The increasing amount of evidence has caused an increasing amount of literature reviews. There are different types of reviews systematic reviews are the best known, and every type of review has different purposes. The scoping review is a recent model that aims to answer broad questions and identify and expose the available evidence for a broader question, using a rigorous and reproducible method. In the last two decades, researchers have discussed the most appropriate method to carry out scoping reviews, and recently the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guideline was published. This is the fifth article of a methodological collaborative series of narrative reviews about general topics on biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. This review aims to describe what scoping reviews are, identify their objectives, differentiate them from other types of reviews, and provide considerations on how to carry them out.

Introduction: In Chile, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) mainly affects preterm infants, with an incidence of 0.3 to 2.4 per 1,000 live births, and 8 to 12% in preterm infants weighing less than 1,500 grams., Objective: To describe health professionals perceptions on the use of human colostrum as a preventive measu re against necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm newborns., Subjects and Method: Qualitative study, using 18 semi-structured individual interviews of health professionals in three public hospitals of the Valparaíso Region. The interview included 3 topics: Knowledge, Perception of early colostrum supply and Opinion about the extent of the measure, and 6 subtopics, 2 for each topic respectively: Self-perception of knowledge level and Sources of information; Experience: positive aspects/adverse events and Opinion of colostrum as a protective factor for enterocolitis; Facilitating or hindering aspects and Opinion about the measure as national policy. Data were processed through qualitative content analysis., Results: Two of the three high-complexity neonatal units of the Valparaíso Re gion have a protocol for administrating colostrum in premature infants. Participants have a positive opinion about the preventive results of this measure. Even in the third hospital where there is no protocol, they have a favorable perception of its potential benefit and its low cost of implementa tion. However, we observed that this procedure requires more evidence and an application protocol. Other limitations would be the lack of staffing and training and the need for equipment and supplies., Conclusions: Professionals who have applied a colostrum administration protocol in preterm infants in the Valparaíso Region report good health outcomes and promote team motivation towards this practice. However, it is relevant to the dissemination and discussion of national and international protocols, as well as the development of local research. Given the ongoing experiences in Chile and the international debate, we considered appropriate to address and discuss the topic within the na tional health community.