Late Onset Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Infants following Use of a Xanthan Gum-Containing Thickening Agent

Adverse event reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration suggested a possible association between necrotizing enterocolitis and ingestion of a commercial feed thickener by premature infants. Review in 2011 of 22 cases with exposure revealed a distinct illness pattern. (J Pediatr 2012;161:354-6)