Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
09:02
Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Probiotics: role in pathophysiology and prevention in necrotizing enterocolitis
Camilia R Martin1, W Allan Walker
1Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Seminars in Perinatology
|March 19, 2008
Summary
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious infant condition, may be preventable with probiotics. This review explores the gut
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting premature infants.
- NEC presents significant mortality and long-term complications, with multifactorial pathophysiology involving inflammation.
- Intestinal integrity, feeding, bacterial colonization, and immune response regulation are key factors in NEC development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of probiotic supplementation as an intervention for preventing NEC in preterm infants.
- To examine the role of the intestinal ecosystem in immunity and inflammation.
- To compare bacterial colonization in preterm versus full-term infants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of gut defense mechanisms.
- Analysis of the intestinal ecosystem's role in modulating immunity and inflammation.
- Comparison of bacterial colonization patterns in preterm and full-term infants.
- Review of evidence for probiotic use in various populations and specifically in preterm infants with NEC.
Main Results:
- Commensal organisms and probiotics are crucial for modulating gut defense and immune response.
- Bacterial colonization patterns differ significantly between preterm and full-term infants.
- Evidence suggests potential benefits of probiotics in other conditions and emerging data for NEC prevention.
Conclusions:
- Probiotic supplementation is a promising strategy for NEC prevention in preterm infants.
- Understanding the gut microbiome and its interaction with host immunity is vital for NEC management.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal probiotic strains and dosages for NEC prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
01:18Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
01:07Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Intestinal obstruction triggers a series of physiological responses, starting with gas and fluid accumulation in the bowel segment proximal to the obstruction, leading to distension. This distended intestine compresses the diaphragm, hindering lung expansion and potentially leading to reduced respiratory effort, atelectasis, and pneumonia.To overcome the blockage, the gut intensifies contractions, causing colicky abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which reduces fluid and food intake and...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...