Fig. 2
Representative H&E-stained ileum sections and scoring of NEC grade. (a) Representative pathological assessment of NEC by H&E staining. The NEC score was 0 (full-term control group), 2 (full-term NEC group), 1 (preterm control group), or 3 (preterm NEC group). (b) Summary of the NEC grade distribution, whereby the NEC score increased significantly in the experimental group. Compared with those in the corresponding control groups, the NEC scores in the full-term and preterm NEC groups were significantly greater (***p < 0.001, t tests). Compared with those in the full-term NEC group, the NEC scores in the preterm NEC group were significantly greater (**p < 0.01, t tests).
