Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)

Premature baby in incubator

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)

NEC is a disease of the premature gut and one of the most common causes of death in the one in 10 Australian babies born prematurely.  For babies who survive, NEC can also have long-term impacts on the developing brain.

NEC is a major health challenge because of its insidious onset and rapid progression. Currently there is no effective drug available to prevent or treat NEC.

What is NEC?

Who is at risk?

What causes NEC?

What are NEC symptoms?

How is NEC diagnosed?

How is NEC treated?

Our necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) research

Hudson Institute scientists are shedding light on how NEC develops and working on promising new anti-inflammatory approaches for treating for NEC.

By revealing valuable new insights into the pathways involved in the disease progression, our scientists have identified promising opportunities for medications.

Novel anti-inflammatory approaches for the preterm baby

Associate Professor Claudia Nold and Professor Marcel Nold, Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Molecular studies. New treatments. Inflammation is known to play a central role in the pathogenesis of NEC. After establishing the underlying disease mechanism in NEC, Professor Marcel Nold, Associate Professor Claudia Nold, Dr Steven Cho and Dr Nadia Deen are now setting out to translate their knowledge into novel treatment strategies.

The team’s studies have already show promise that an effective NEC treatment will be found through repurposing existing anti-inflammatory medications such as interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, or through the development of novel potent anti-inflammatory molecules such as interleukin 37.

Patient derived organoids for pre-clinical drug testing in NEC

Finding the best microbiome for every baby

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) collaborators

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) teams

Hudson Institute scientists cannot provide medical advice.
Find out more about necrotising enterocolitis.

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