Early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most severe diseases in preterm newborns. Despite numerous studies analyzing NEC, many aspects of its etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment are still poorly understood. NEC diagnosis at early stages remains extremely challenging. It is early diagnosis that ensures timely treatment initiation and reduces mortality. There is a clear need for early diagnostic biomarkers of NEC, since it will improve treatment outcomes and expand our understanding of NEC pathogenesis. This literature review summarizes information on laboratory and instrumental diagnostics of NEC, which can facilitate the identification of new biomarkers. Key words: necrotizing enterocolitis, preterm infants, newborn, diagnosis