American Academy of Pediatrics: Expert panel calls for more research on NEC as lawsuits threaten supply of specialty formula

A federal panel including AAP experts is calling for more research to understand causes, risk factors and nutritional support related to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants.

NEC is one of the leading causes of illness and death among preterm infants and was responsible for the deaths of 356 infants in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The efforts to identify research gaps come as recent lawsuits threaten the availability of specialty formulas that provide important nutrition for preterm infants.

The National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council’s NEC working group presented research recommendations Thursday and will send its final report to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by Sept. 16. The working group is co-chaired by Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado, M.D., FAAP, a member of the AAP Section on Infectious Diseases, and Ravi M. Patel, M.D., M.Sc., FAAP, a member of the AAP Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Executive Committee. They are among several pediatricians on the panel.

The group made three overarching recommendations.

  • Expand research into preventing premature birth.
  • Develop more specific definitions of NEC and severity of NEC to improve epidemiological studies and determine eligibility for trials and treatments.
  • Ensure that research on NEC incorporates the perspectives of affected families.

The group recommended more research on mechanisms of NEC development, exposures and feeding practices that may impact risk, optimal nutritional needs of premature infants and ways to reduce disparities in availability of human milk.

Read more from the American Academy of Pediatrics.