The prevention and management of necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract 

Necrotizing enterocolitis remains a devastating illness and there is some evidence that mortality from it is increasing. Although there has been little change in the management of established necrotizing enterocolitis, studies based on known risk factors are leading to possible preventive strategies. Several of these are based on the knowledge that breast milk is partially protective. Nutritional approaches may involve arginine, erythropoietin and epidermal growth factor supplementation. Other strategies may include manipulating the bacterial milieu of the bowel and influencing the inflammatory cascade.

Keywords:  necrotizing enterocolitis, epidermal growth factor, erythropoietin, arginine, Doppler ultrasound, platelet activating factor