title: Necrotizing enterocolitis: a multifactorial disease with no cure.
abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis is an inflammatory bowel disease of neonates with significant morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Due to the multifactorial nature of the disease and limitations in disease models, early diagnosis remains challenging and the pathogenesis elusive. Although preterm birth, hypoxic-ischemic events, formula feeding, and abnormal bacteria colonization are established risk factors, the role of genetics and vasoactive/inflammatory mediators is unclear. Consequently, treatments do not target the specific underlying disease processes and are symptomatic and surgically invasive. Breast-feeding is the most effective preventative measure. Recent advances in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis have focused on bioactive nutrients and trophic factors in human milk. Development of new disease models including the aspect of prematurity that consistently predisposes neonates to the disease with multiple risk factors will improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and lead to discovery of innovative therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition, 4-10 Ag/For Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada.
authors.forename: Kareena-L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Schnabl
authors.forename: John-E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Van Aerde
authors.forename: Alan-Br
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Michael-T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Clandinin
mesh_terms: D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015777:Eicosanoids; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species