Necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common severe neonatal gastrointestinal emergency that predominantly affects premature infants. Its morbidity and mortality is similar to other severe childhood diseases such as meningitis and leukemia, and is becoming increasingly recognized as a major cause of neurodevelopmental delays. The etiology of NEC remains obscure despite over 40 years of research, partly because it is more than one disease and databases including NEC have been diluted by these different entities. Furthermore, good animal models that represent the most classic form of the disease seen in preterm human infants are lacking. This chapter provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of what has been termed 'NEC'.