TITLE:
New Frontiers of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: From Pathophysiology to Treatment
AUTHORS:
Umut Zubarioglu, Sinan Uslu, Ali Bulbul
KEYWORDS:
Preterm Infants, Necrosis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.9 No.1,
January
13,
2017
ABSTRACT: Necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC] is an inflammatory disease of intestine largely occuring in preterm infants with a wide range of damage from minimal injury limited to mucosa to extensive necrosis of bowel wall and perforation. Despite advancements in neonatal care, mortality remains high [30% - 50%] and controversy still persists with regards to the most appropriate management of neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis. The main factors thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of NEC are: relatively hyper-reactive state of premature intestine, enteral feeding and bacterial colonization. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about the epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging, medical and surgical management of necrotizing enterocolitis and describe novel strategies for prevention and treatment.