Current Research on the Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Abstract

Despite decades of research on necrotizing enterocolitis, we still do not fully understand the pathogenesis of the disease, or how to prevent or how to treat it. However, as a result of recent significant advances in the microbiology, molecular biology, and cell biology of the intestine of preterm infants and infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, there is some hope that research into this devastating disease will yield some important translation into effective prevention, more rapid diagnosis, and novel therapies.

Keywords: Inflammation; Intestinal microbiota; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Premature infants; Surgery; Toll-like receptor 4.