Is necrotizing enterocolitis the same disease in term and preterm infants?

Noah Kinstlinger, Adam Fink, Sharon Gordon, Terry L. Levin, Patricia Friedmann, Suhas Nafday, Mindy Statter, Steven H. Borenstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis predominantly affects preterm (PT) infants. The paucity of data regarding the clinical course in term infants makes it difficult to predict outcomes and counsel families. To identify predisposing factors and gain a better understanding of the clinical course of NEC in term infants, we reviewed our experience with term infants and compared it to outcomes in PT infants. Methods: We performed a 10 year retrospective review of all infants admitted to our NICU with Bell stage 2 NEC or greater. Infants < 37 weeks gestation were considered PT. Term and PT infant comorbidities, outcomes and intraoperative findings were compared. Results: Fifteen (12%) of 125 infants were term. Compared to PT infants, term infants were more likely to have congenital heart disease (33% term vs. 10% PT, p = 0.02) and develop NEC sooner (4 days in term vs. 17 days in PT, p < 0.001) but were less likely to require operative intervention (20% term vs. 38% PT; p = 0.17). There was no significant difference in Bell stage, survival and development of intestinal failure. NEC totalis occurred exclusively in PT infants. Conclusions: NEC in term infants has unique clinical features that distinguishes it from NEC in PT infants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1370-1374
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery
Volume56
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • NEC totalis
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis
  • Term

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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