Necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, is a severe inflammatory disease of the intestine that occurs in about 5 percent of premature births and can be fatal in as many as half of such cases by leading to intestinal perforation.

The researchers said NEC is increasing in frequency due to the improved survival of premature infants.

In the new study, researchers working with an animal model of NEC found when a molecular receptor known as Toll-like receptor-4, or TLR4, was blocked it allowed enterocytes -- epithelial cells found in the small intestines and colon -- to once again migrate and heal the damaged intestinal tissue.

The scientists said they would now focus on developing treatment strategies that would block the TLR4. Such treatments could be administered as a component of oral feeds for infants, they said.

The research was presented in Washington by the study's principal investigator, Dr. David Hackam, during the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology.