Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Abstract

Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a highly lethal disease of the newborn infant, which has aroused great interest in the past decades. It is characterized by ischemic necrosis of th'e intestinal wall, frequ®tly /'{fading to perforation and death. Unlike most neonatal emergencies, it is acquired and can be wccessfully treated without op,eration in most cas(!S.The etiology is still obscure and is considered to be multifactorial. Intesti11al ischemi.a, infections, cow's milk, and hyperosmolar