ABSTRACT:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NE) is a common disease with a high associated mortality. NE is more common in preterm and low-birth-weight newborns, as well as patients with anemia, heart disease such as patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis or hypoxia at birth and patients receiving formula, among other causes.The pathophysiology of this disease is the premature exposure of the intestinal immune system to the intestinal flora. This premature exposure causes inflammation, mucosa disruption, vasoconstriction, and necrosis. This increases the risk of infectious pathogens that further damage the intestinal barrier and alter the bacterial flora. (2), perpetuating the local lesion (8), increasing morbidity and mortality. One third of these patients will eventually require surgery.
Currently, there is no conclusive data on the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis at different altitudes in Latin America. Clarifying the effect of altitude in this disease will be essential in the management and prognosis of neonates affected by this illness(1).
KEYWORDS:
necrotizing enterocolitis (NE); premature newborn; low birthweight; intestinal perforation; meters above sea level (m.a.s.l)
REFERENCES :
1) Barrie S. Rich, MD, Stephen E. Dolgin, MD, (2017) Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Pediatrics in Review.
2) Fiona Wertheimer, DO,*† Roxanne Arcinue, MD,†‡ Victoria Niklas, MD, MA. (2019) Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Enhancing Awareness for the General Practitioner. Pediatrics in Review.
3) Vall d`Hebron Barcelona Campus Hospitalari. Enterocolitis Necrotizante, Junio 2019.
4) N Meligrana, R Quera, C Figueroa, Factores ambientales en el desarrollo y evolución de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, Rev. méd. Chile vol.147 no.2 Santiago feb. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872019000200212.