AMNIOTIC FLUID COULD HELP HEAL PREEMIES’ INTESTINES

About 10 percent of babies born prematurely and weighing less than 2 lb (800 g) go on to develop necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal infection that can cause tissue death and progress to blood poisoning. In severe cases, surgery to remove the diseased tissue may become necessary. In the future, however, stem cells found in amniotic fluid may be used to treat the condition, reducing the need for surgical intervention and improving survival rates. Preliminary studies on lab rats indicate that these cells have the capacity to reduce inflammation and repair damage to the intestines. More… Discuss