Sildenafil Attenuates Intestinal Injury in Necrotizing Enterocolitis Independently of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devasting intra-abdominal disease that occurs primarily in preterm neonates. Clinically, NEC presents as feeding intolerance, abdominal distention, and bloody stools, which can quickly progress to sepsis and intestinal perforation [1]. Mortality from NEC remains high and accounts for 10-21% of all deaths in premature babies [2]. Multiple factors have been shown to play a role in its development, including prematurity, formula feeds, and intestinal dysbiosis [3, 4].