Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Variables Associated With the Severity of Disease

The medical records of 51 inborn infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were studied to determine factors that may contribute to the severity of NEC. In contrast to infants requiring only medical intervention, those with severe disease requiring a surgical procedure were less likely to have a history of a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (14% v 45%); they also required fewer days of antibiotic therapy (three v five) and fewer days of endotracheal intubation (0.5 v three). They were fed earlier (two days v four days). The diagnosis was made at a younger age in infants needing surgery (6.5 days v 14 days). These data indicate that infants with minimal neonatal morbidity may be at risk for severe NEC, which results in bowel necrosis.