Hypoxia, PAF, and necrotizing enterocolitis
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1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60614.
Lipids
|December 1, 1991
Abstract:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an important neonatal disease with a high mortality rate. The pathophysiology is unclear but epidemiologic studies suggest that hypoxia and infection are important risk factors. In this review we discuss the effect of hypoxia and platelet-activating factor (PAF) on intestinal blood flow and intestinal necrosis, and implicate PAF as an important mediator in hypoxia-induced intestinal injury. Finally we provide evidence that PAF may be important in neonatal NEC.