Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm very low birth weight infants: is it feasible?

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is still one of the most catastrophic intestinal emergencies in preterm very low-birth weight infants. Primary prevention of NEC should be the priority, since NEC frequently progresses from nonspecific signs, to extensive necrosis within a matter of hours with medical or surgical treatment, making successful treatment and secondary prevention difficult to achieve. Currently available strategies for primary prevention of NEC include antenatal glucocorticosteroids, breast milk feeding, cautious feeding strategy, fluid restriction and probiotics. Nonetheless, based on current research evidence, mixed flora probiotics, and/or breast milk feeding, would appear to be the most effective feasible methods in the prevention of NEC at present.