title: Intestinal microbiota and its relationship with necrotizing enterocolitis.
abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in infants born prematurely. After birth, the neonatal gut must acquire a healthy complement of commensal bacteria. Disruption or delay of this critical process, leading to deficient or abnormal microbial colonization of the gut, has been implicated as key risk factor in the pathogenesis of NEC. Conversely, a beneficial complement of commensal intestinal microbiota may protect the immature gut from inflammation and injury. Interventions aimed at providing or restoring a healthy complement of commensal bacteria, such as probiotic therapy, are currently the most promising treatment to prevent NEC. Shifting the balance of intestinal microbiota from a pathogenic to protective complement of bacteria can protect the gut from inflammation and subsequent injury that leads to NEC. Herein, we review the relationship of intestinal microbiota and NEC in preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia [2] Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Ravi Mangal
authors.identifier: 0000000274445550
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia [2] Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Patricia W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Denning
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D001419:Bacteria; D001942:Breast Feeding; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007249:Inflammation; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D008895:Milk, Human; D056692:Prebiotics; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000737:chemistry; D012307:Risk Factors; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D056692:Prebiotics; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors