Korean J Pediatr.  2009 Jan;52(1):56-60. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.1.56.

Rotavirus-associated neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

• Seo HJ
• Jung YJ
• Park SK
• Choi SH
• Lee JH
• Kim MJ
• Chang YS
• Park WS

• KMID: 2037337
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.1.56

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to test whether rotavirus-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (RV+NEC) produced diffe rent clinical findings or outcomes from those of non-rotavirus necrotizing enterocolitis (RV-NEC).
METHODS
Eight patients from the RV+NEC group and 22 patients from the RV-NEC group diagnosed with modified Bell stage II or higher NEC were selected for this study. Fecal specimens from all infants were tested for rotavirus infection using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Clinical, radiographic, and clinical outcome data were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
RV+NEC infants had a significantly higher birth weight and were born at a significantly higher gestational age (33.5+/-3.3 weeks vs. 29.3+/-4.4 weeks; P=0.01). There were no differe nces in the occurrence of thrombocytopenia, mural gas, and pneumoperitoneum between the 2 groups. However, portal vein gas was more common in the RV+NEC group (88% vs. 9%; P<0.01). Neither the incidence of Bell stage III (or higher) NEC nor surgical inte rvention differed between the two groups. The number of complications and mortality rates were also similar.
CONCLUSION
Rotavirus-associated NEC occurs in infants with a higher birth weight and those born at a greater gestational age. However, the severity of the condition and the resulting outcomes did not differ from those for infants affected by non-rotavirus NEC.

Keyword

Rotavirus infections; Enterocolitis; Necrotizing; Newborn

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Enterocolitis
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Gestational Age
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Pneumoperitoneum
Portal Vein
Retrospective Studies
Rotavirus Infections
Thrombocytopenia