Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Inflammation and Intestinal Immaturity

Title: Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Inflammation and Intestinal Immaturity

Volume: 8 Issue: 3

Author(s): Erika C. Claud

Affiliation:

Keywords: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, premature infant, probiotic, human milk, platelet activating factor, nuclear factor kappaB

Abstract: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is a devastating inflammatory bowel disease of premature infants. The pathogenesis remains incompletely understood and there is no specific treatment. Efforts are ongoing to understand aspects of intestinal immaturity which contribute to susceptibility to this disease. This review focuses on bacterial colonization patterns, intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory responses of immature enterocytes leading to a unique vulnerability of the preterm gut. In addition the possible therapeutic potential of factors in human milk and probiotic bacteria is discussed.

Cite this article as:

Claud C. Erika, Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Inflammation and Intestinal Immaturity, Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 8 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152309789152020