Enterocolitis necrotizante

Abstract

The Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) etiopathogenesis seems to be multifactorial. Numerous elements would be in relation with or would operate as a whole in order to produce it. It is likely to exist two different ways of NEC: The one in Preterm Infants and the one Term Infants, in which these two etiologic factors would have a different preponderance. In the first case, the intestine immaturity and the immune answer would play an essential role, while in the second case, the hypoxic phenomena would have a greater relevance. In spite of the different researches which suggest that the inflammatory factors, especially the Platelet-activating factor (PAF), take part in the NEC etiopathogenesis, data in human beings are insufficient to know if that is the cause or the effect of this pathology. Eventually, since new prevention methods or alternatives to improve the treatment of Infants with NEC could arise a wider research for a better understanding of wider the NEC etiopathogenesis would be required.