Intestinal Microbiota and Its Relationship with Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Overview

Journal Pediatr Res

Specialties Biology
Pediatrics

Date 2015 May 21

PMID 25992911

Citations 76

Authors

Ravi Mangal Patel

Patricia W Denning

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in infants born prematurely. After birth, the neonatal gut must acquire a healthy complement of commensal bacteria. Disruption or delay of this critical process, leading to deficient or abnormal microbial colonization of the gut, has been implicated as key risk factor in the pathogenesis of NEC. Conversely, a beneficial complement of commensal intestinal microbiota may protect the immature gut from inflammation and injury. Interventions aimed at providing or restoring a healthy complement of commensal bacteria, such as probiotic therapy, are currently the most promising treatment to prevent NEC. Shifting the balance of intestinal microbiota from a pathogenic to protective complement of bacteria can protect the gut from inflammation and subsequent injury that leads to NEC. Herein, we review the relationship of intestinal microbiota and NEC in preterm infants.

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