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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model
Published on: July 28, 2023
The Impact of Stress, Microbial Dysbiosis, and Inflammation on Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Venkata Yeramilli1, Riadh Cheddadi1, Heather Benjamin1
1Division of Pediatric, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Ave. S., Lowder Building Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
Abstract:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of intestinal morbidity and mortality in neonates. A large body of work exists; however, the pathogenesis of NEC remains poorly understood. Numerous predictors have been implicated in the development of NEC, with relatively less emphasis on maternal factors. Utilizing human tissue plays a crucial role in enhancing our comprehension of the underlying mechanisms accountable for this devastating disease. In this review, we will discuss how maternal stress affects the pathogenesis of NEC and how changes in the intestinal microbiome can influence the development of NEC. We will also discuss the results of transcriptomics-based studies and analyze the gene expression changes in NEC tissues and other molecular targets associated with the pathogenesis of NEC.
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