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Review
. 2021 Jun;48(2):229-250.
doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2021.03.002.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Jennifer Duchon  1 , Maria E Barbian  2 , Patricia W Denning  3
Affiliations
Review

Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Jennifer Duchon et al. Clin Perinatol. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory disease affecting premature infants. Intestinal microbial composition may play a key role in determining which infants are predisposed to NEC and when infants are at highest risk of developing NEC. It is unclear how to optimize antibiotic therapy in preterm infants to prevent NEC and how to optimize antibiotic regimens to treat neonates with NEC. This article discusses risk factors for NEC, how dysbiosis in preterm infants plays a role in the pathogenesis of NEC, and how probiotic and antibiotic therapy may be used to prevent and/or treat NEC and its sequelae.

Keywords: Antibiotic use in newborns; Intestinal immaturity; Intestinal inflammation; NEC; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Prematurity; Probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Dr Denning receives 5-P01 HL086773 and CHOA Friends Grant. Dr Barbian receives Marshall Klaus Perinatal Research Award, American Academy of Pediatrics and Warshaw Fellow Research Award Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Institute.

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