PATHOPHYISIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN NEWBORNS LESS THAN 1.500g

The Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness of the newborn that affects mainly the preterm infant. It corresponds to a diffuse intestinal necrosis with more affection of the ileocecal region. The pathophysiology is complex and multiple risk factors can cause the illness in a susceptible infant. Among the different theories about their appearance is observed that prematurity, intestinal isquemia, bacterial colonization and enteral feeding are the main risk factors, which can be favored by prenatal, perinatal or posnatal conditions. The aim of this article is to review the pathophysiology and the risk factors described in the current evidence.