J Korean Assoc Pediatr Surg.  2008 Dec;14(2):144-152.

Prognostic Factors of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

• Kang DW
• Gwak GH
• Yang KH
• Bae BN
• Kim KH
• Han SW
• Kim HJ
• Kim YD
• Choi MJ

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in the neonatal population. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical indication and prognostic factors of NEC. Clinical data of seventy patients, diagnosed as NEC between January 2000 & January 2007, were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-seven patients had medical treatment and 7 of them died. Thirteen patients who presented with pneumoperitoneum on plain abdominal film or were refractory to medical treatment received surgical treatment, and 5 of them died. All the expired 12 patients weighed less than 2500g. Twenty out of seventy patients showed thrombocytopenia, and 11 patients of them died. The finding of pneumoperitoneum and thrombocytopenia could be the most important surgical indication. Prematurity, low birth weight and thrombocytopenia were related to a bad prognosis. NEC patients who presents with these findings must be considered for close observation and intensive care.

Keyword

NEC; Pneumoperitoneum; Prematurity; Thrombocytopenia

MeSH Terms

Emergencies
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Humans
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Pneumoperitoneum
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Thrombocytopenia