Evaluation of some blood biomarkers as predictors of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

ecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract of neonates which finally results in inflammation and bacterial invasion of the bowel wall (Lin & Stoll, 2006). Although there is extensive research, the pathophysiology of NEC is still unclear and therapeutic options are limited (Yajamanyam et al., 2014). Clinical manifestations of NEC may be vague, including increased episodes of apnea, desaturations, bradycardia, lethargy and temperature instability. There may be GI-specific symptoms as feeding intolerance, bloody stools, emesis, abdominal distention, tenderness and abdominal wall discoloration (Thompson & Bizzarro, 2008). Radiographic signs may include ileus, dilated or fixed intestinal loops, air in the intestinal wall or free air in the abdomen. NEC diagnosis, however, remains challenging because many now see that Bell’s staging criteria (Bell et al., 1978) used for diagnosis as being not accurate (Gordon et al., 2007).