Can Fish Oil Reduce the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Altering the Inflammatory Response?

Brandy L Frost; Michael S Caplan

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2018.09.004

Can Fish Oil Reduce the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Altering the Inflammatory Response?

Clin Perinatol. 2019 Mar;46(1):65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.09.004. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Authors

Brandy L Frost¹, Michael S Caplan²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Walgreen Building Suite 1505, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. Electronic address: bfrost@northshore.org.
² Department of Pediatrics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Walgreen Building Suite 1505, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.

PMID: 30771820
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.09.004

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating bowel necrosis that predominantly affects preterm infants and is characterized by an imbalance toward a proinflammatory state. Fish oil or omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have the potential to modulate inflammation. In this article, the authors examine the evidence in support of fish oil supplementation to alter the inflammatory response and potentially reduce the risk of NEC.

Keywords: Fish oil; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; Prematurity; Very low birth weight.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Dietary Supplements
Docosahexaenoic Acids / therapeutic use*
Eicosapentaenoic Acid / therapeutic use*
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / epidemiology
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / immunology
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / prevention & control*
Fish Oils / therapeutic use*
Humans
Incidence
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Inflammation / immunology*

Substances

Fish Oils
Docosahexaenoic Acids
Eicosapentaenoic Acid