Open AccessFeeding associated neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (Primary NEC) is an inflammatory bowel disease
Author(s) -
David A. Clark,
Upender K. Munshi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pathophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.758
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1873-149X
pISSN - 0928-4680
DOI - 10.1016/j.pathophys.2013.11.006
Subject(s) - necrotizing enterocolitis , acidosis , medicine , metabolic acidosis , gastroenterology , inflammation , inflammatory bowel disease , short bowel syndrome , enterocolitis , systemic inflammation , parenteral nutrition , disease
Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis which develops after feeding preterm infants is characterized by severe intestinal inflammation and profound systemic metabolic acidosis. The fermentation of undigested dietary carbohydrate by colonic flora yields gases (CO2 and H2) and short chain organic acids. These organic acids can disrupt the intestinal mucosa and initiate inflammation driven predominantly by resident mast cells and by granulocytes which are recruited from blood. A systemic acidosis ensues derived from intestinal acids, not classic lactic acidosis produced from anaerobic metabolism. The systemic acidosis further compromises inflamed bowel leading to bowel necrosis.