Intestinal Crises in the Newborn : Loss of Intestinal Absorptive Capacity after Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Intestinal crises in the newborn consist of a spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders, either congenital or acquired in the first month after birth. In the acquired group necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is generally recognized as the most important cause of intestinal crisis with significant mortality and long lasting morbidity. Other acquired disorders are volvulus and milk curd syndrome. Examples of congenital gastrointestinal disorders are gastroschisis, intestinal atresia, omphalocele, and meconium peritonitis (1-3). NEC is the main subject of this study.