Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common emergency in the neonatal period associated with the digestive system; mainly affecting preterm neonates with very low birth weight. Etiology remains unknown, considered a multifactorial disease, all this related to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, a decreased motility that generates greater permeability in the mucosa and with this facilitates bacterial translocation. Diagnosis is usually very complex and often goes unnoticed on many occasions leading to a significant mortality of up to 30% where its main complication is intestinal perforation and consequent septic shock. Therapeutic options are divided into 2 groups: medical and surgical, both with major complications affecting the development of children with it where the most important from growth and neurodevelopmental alterations to short bowel syndrome and malnutrition.

Key words: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); Preterm; Multifactorial; Gastrointestinal immaturity; Bacterial translocation