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Does genetic susceptibility play a role in necrotizing enterocolitis?

Pediatric Research (2025)Cite this article

Commentary: Bai R, et al. Genetic susceptibility to necrotizing enterocolitis in very preterm infants: Evidence from twin data.1

Use of twin data sets has been quite useful in the assessment of genetic susceptibility in various medical conditions. The suggestion that necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), previously considered to be only “developmental” i.e. primarily due to the fact that the infant was born prematurely and exposed to ante- and post- natal factors, could have a familial component was published 2 decades ago.2 Familial factors refer to a combination of genetic and shared environmental factors, and this was reported to be 52% in NEC.2 In the original study from the USA, a genetic component to NEC could not be ascertained.2 Nevertheless, concerted efforts have been made by multiple investigators to dissect out the specific genes and their mutations that could be contributing to the pathogenesis of NEC.3,4,5,6,7 A recent review has summarized the information gleaned from twin studies on the genetic relevance to NEC8 as well as elucidation of specific risk factors contributing to NEC in preterm twins.9,10

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  1. Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA

    Vineet Bhandari

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Bhandari, V. Does genetic susceptibility play a role in necrotizing enterocolitis?. Pediatr Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04662-1

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