The global necrotising enterocolitis market size is expected to be valued at USD 7.51 Billion in 2025. It can surge to a valuation of USD 11.14 Billion by 2032. The market is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (2025-2032).  

The risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in infants less than 28 weeks old and its consequent treatment using pharma-grade probiotics can drive the market growth. Government sponsored healthcare initiatives aimed at creating awareness of the disease and the focus on R&D for prevention strategies can shape the market.

However, the recall of various supplements can impede the market growth.

Key Market Insights

The necrotising enterocolitis market is poised for immense growth owing to the rising deaths of premature infants caused by NEC and the utilization of diagnostic tools for its early detection.

• By treatment type, the surgical intervention segment is expected to score a 36% share in 2025. This can be attributed to the use of laparotomy and peritoneal drain placement with high patient survival rates as per a study. The use of surgical intervention to improve patient outcomes can drive the segment’s growth over the forecast period.
• By diagnosis, the imaging techniques segment is anticipated to attain 40.8% market share in 2025. The use of abdominal ultrasound and the need for experienced sonographers can lead to the early detection of NEC in its preventive stages and fuel the overall market growth.
• By distribution channel, the retail pharmacies segment is expected to capture 26% share of the necrotising enterocolitis market in 2025. The availability of neonatal nutritional formulations and probiotic supplements can propel the market revenue of over the forecast period. The investments in research and development for pharmaceutical-grade probiotics can boost the segment’s growth.
• By region, North America is expected to lead the global market in 2025. The high rate of preterm births and adequate neonatal infrastructure can drive the region’s demand for the market. Furthermore, government-backed neonatal initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the disease are expected to support the market growth throughout the forecast period.

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Necrotising Enterocolitis Market Report Coverage

Market Dynamics

The demand for better neonatal care for the prevention of premature deaths of infants is one of the major drivers of the necrotising enterocolitis market growth. This is evident by the large number of infant deaths caused by NEC in the U.S. and Germany.

The limited availability of pharmaceutical-grade probiotics has highlighted the need for approved medications for infants. In March 2024, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the regulatory authority under the Government of India, issued a warning against the sale of unapproved drugs. These drugs included Disodium and Meropenem for the treatment of bacterial infection. The concerted effort of government research organizations worldwide for the development of safe formulations for tackling NEC can bode well for the market.

The utilization of machine learning and artificial intelligence for the early diagnosis of NEC can bode well for the market. This is exemplified by the collaboration between Data-Driven.AI and NEC Laboratories Europe for spotting blood patterns in infants with NEC on April 15, 2025.

Market Opportunity: Diagnosis of NEC with Biological Markers

The use of radiography for the detection of NEC has been unsuccessful in preventing deaths in preterm infants. Biological markers and the use of ultrasound can create a new diagnostic technique for this purpose. This can boost neonatal care across hospitals and reduce mortality rates caused by NEC. Development of tests such as Prothrombin Time (PT), International Normalized Ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) can spur the market growth over the forecast period.

Market Challenge: Potential of Infant Formulas Being a Big Cause of NEC

Infant formulations can cause bowel disease like NEC in infants. This has led to companies such as Abbott and Reckitt Benckiser to be on the back foot. Although the companies have been cleared of any wrongdoing, their public face has taken a beating and caused mistrust in customers. This has created a challenge for the necrotising enterocolitis market and spurred them to develop newer and safer formulations.

Analyst’s View

• The necrotising enterocolitis market is driven by the alarming deaths of premature infants with low birth weights.
• Surgical interventions are expected to be the best mode of treatment over the forecast period, owing to the lack of effective diagnostic tools or medicines for preventing NEC.
• The focus on the development of pharmaceutical-grade probiotics to prevent the deaths of preterm infants is the primary goal of key market players.

Recent Developments

INF108, a drug containing the Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis strain, was granted an orphan drug designation by the U.S. FDA on May 07, 2025. It was manufactured by Infinant Health and aimed at the prevention of NEC in preterm infants.

Competitor Insights

• Purdue Pharma
• Infant Bacterial Therapeutics
• Medtronic
• Zebra Medical Vision
• Vifor Pharma
• Sientra
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Hollister Incorporated
• Sanofi
• Shire (now part of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company)
• Astarte Medical
• Pediatric Therapeutics
• Smith & Nephew
• Reckitt Benckiser
• Nestlé Health Science

Market Segmentation

• By Treatment Type
• Pharmacological Therapy
• Surgical Intervention
• Supportive Care
• By Diagnosis
• Laboratory Tests
• Imaging Techniques
• By Distribution Channel
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

Regional Insights

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Europe
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • France
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • South Korea
  • India
  • China
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East
  • GCC Countries
  • Israel
  • Rest of Middle East
• Africa
  • South Africa
  • North Africa
  • Central Africa