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Necrotizing enterocolitis is a common and devastating complication of prematurity, with high mortality and very high morbidity for survivors. While prematurity and formula feeding are known to be important risk factors for the disease, its infectious nature has raised questions about whether postnatal acquisition of pathogenic bacteria contributes to its pathogenesis.
In this multicenter study, researchers prospectively collected serial stool samples for microbial DNA analysis from very low birth weight infants (≤1500 g) at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis. DNA was analyzed from samples collected the day of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through the day before diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis or age 60 days.
In t…