Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Pathophysiology from a Historical Context

Overview

Journal Semin Pediatr Surg

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2017 Dec 26

PMID 29275810

Citations 59

Authors

David Hackam

Michael Caplan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) continues to afflict approximately 7% of preterm infants born weighing less than 1500g, though recent investigations have provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of this complex disease. The disease has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units worldwide for many years, and our current understanding reflects exceptional observations made decades ago. In this review, we will describe NEC from a historical context and summarize seminal findings that underscore the importance of enteral feeding, the gut microbiota, and intestinal inflammation in this complex pathophysiology.

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