Epidermal growth factor and necrotizing enterocolitis.
As the number of extremely low-birth-weight infants increases,necrotizing enterocolitis remains a critical eminent problem. Supplementation of enteral feeds with biologically active substances normally present in breast milk, such as epidermal growth factor, seems to be a logical and safe way to reduce the incidence of intestinal inflammation and necrotizing enterocolitis. Continuing basic research and clinical studies are essential before epidermal growth factor can be introduced as an efficient therapeutic approach in the treatment of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
Dvorak
Bohuslav
B
Department of Pediatrics and Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave, P.O. Box 245073, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. dvorakb@peds.arizona.edu
D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology; D008895:Milk, Human; D012038:Regeneration
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor