Probiotics and the mechanism of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal inflammatory disorder in newborns. Although the pathogenesis of NEC is not completely understood, we reviewed the literature and our previous studies to explore the mechanism of NEC and to evaluate the role for probiotics in this disease. NEC may be associated with an inappropriate innate immune and excessive inflammatory response of the immature intestine. Probiotics are widely used in promoting human health and adjunctive therapy of human disease. There are growing clinical trials and research studies that support a beneficial role for probiotics for NEC. We have reviewed the literature associated with the use of probiotics in NEC.