Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Gut Microbiota, and Brain Development: Role of the Brain-Gut Axis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a relatively common disease in very-low-birth-weight infants and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. In survivors, neurodevelopmental impairment is frequently seen. The exact etiology remains largely to be elucidated, but microbiota are considered to play a major role in the development of NEC. Furthermore, emerging evidence exists that the microbiota is also of importance in brain function and development. Therefore, microbiota characterization has not only potential as a diagnostic or even preventive tool to predict NEC, but may also serve as a biomarker to monitor and possibly even as a target to manipulate brain development. Analysis of fecal volatile organic compounds, which shape the volatile metabolome and reflect microbiota function and host interaction, has been shown to be of interest in the diagnosis of NEC and late-onset sepsis. In this review, we discuss evidence of the role of the complex interplay between microbiota, NEC, and brain development, including the brain-gut axis in preterm infants.