Thelansis

  Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a disease seen primarily in preterm infants. In some ways, NEC is a byproduct of the successes experienced in neonatology wherein babies of low gestational age who would not have survived 30–40 years ago are now surviving. NEC has emerged as one of the most destructive diseases occurring in neonatal intensive care. In addition to extremely high morbidity and mortality and high costs, long-term complications include strictures and adhesions of the intestine, cholestasis, short bowel syndrome, failure to thrive, and neurodevelopmental delay. Unfortunately, not much progress has been made in its treatment or prevention. Barrier function, circulatory regulation, motility, digestion, absorption, and immune defenses are immature in preterm infants. In addition, the balance between effector and tolerizing immune response may not be fully developed. Classic NEC appears to be related to excessive inflammatory responses, with elevated serum cytokines and ...