Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease that is difficult to treat, and it is especially difficult to effectively predict its development. This paper gives a brief introduction to the etiology of NEC and its epidemiology, followed by a characterization of the pathology and pathogenesis, as well as symptomatology, clinical, radiological, and biochemical methods of detection. The introduction is followed by the rewie of detection methods. Most of them are focused on finding specific blood markers, but there are also a lot of novel and less invasive procedure being developed. They are listed as follows: interleukins, fatty acid binding proteins,bile acids, calprotectin, claudin, and noninvasive methods based upon tracking electrophysiologycal changes in the body. Many more studies were aimed at finding new ways of treatment and prevention. New possible treatment methods and techniques are briefly described: insulin-like growth factor, human milk oligosaccharides, epidermal growth factor family, transforming growth factor β, an enzyme – alkaline phosphatase, vitamin A, trefoil factor family, branch chain fatty acids, erythropoietin, oxygen, and ozone. Particular emphasis is given to the role of maternal milk as a source of many of biochemical factors in prevention and even treatment of NEC. The goal of this article is to give a brief review of what NEC is and to present a thorough analysis of recent developments in screening for and treatment of the disease.