Weight shapes the intestinal microbiome in preterm infants: results of a prospective observational study.

Background: The intestinal microbiome in preterm infants differs markedly from term infants. It is unclear whether the microbiome develops over time according to infant specific factors.

Methods: We analysed (clinical) metadata - to identify the main factors influencing the microbiome composition development - and the first meconium and faecal samples til the 4th week via 16 S rRNA amplican sequencing.

Increased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in the Netherlands after implementation of the new Dutch guideline for active treatment in extremely preterm infants: Results from three academic referral centers.

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe inflammatory disease, mostly occurring in preterm infants. The Dutch guidelines for active treatment of extremely preterm infants changed in 2006 from 26+0 to 25+0weeks of gestation, and in 2010 to 24+0 of gestation. We aimed to gain insight into the incidence, clinical outcomes and treatment strategies, in three academic referral centers in the Netherlands over the last nine years.

Identification of bacterial invasion in necrotizing enterocolitis specimens using fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Objective: Investigation of bacterial invasion into the intestinal wall in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) specimens.

Study Design: We compared 43 surgical NEC specimens with 43 age-matched controls. We used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), a universal bacterial probe together with species-specific probes for Clostridium spp.

Paneth cells in the developing gut: when do they arise and when are they immune competent?

Background: Little is known about the perinatal development of Paneth cells (PCs) during gestation and the relation with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We aimed to investigate when PCs arise and when they become immune competent during gestation.

Methods: We included 57 samples of ileum tissue of fetuses/infants with a gestional age (GA) between 9 and 40 wk taken as part of a standard autopsy procedure.

The relation between splanchnic ischaemia and intestinal damage in necrotising enterocolitis.

Objectives: The underlying pathophysiology of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) remains incompletely understood, particularly the role of intestinal perfusion. We aimed to determine the relation between cerebral and splanchnic fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE), a marker for tissue underperfusion, with intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in plasma (I-FABPp), a marker for intestinal damage, in infants with NEC. Furthermore, we investigated the combined courses of cerebral and splanchnic FTOE values and I-FABPp levels in uncomplicated (conservative treatment) and complicated NEC (surgery or death).