J Korean Soc Neonatol.
2003 Nov;10(2):178-184.
Epidemiology of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis: a 8-year Experience
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wspark@smc.samsung.co.kr
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common intra-abdominal emergency which frequently requires surgical intervention in the newborn infants. The purpose of this study is to describe the incidence and risk factors for NEC in the newborn infants according to gestational age. METHODS: Medical records of all proven NEC newborns (modified Bell's stage II and above) admitted to the NICU of Samsung Medical Center between September 1994 and March 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Infants were grouped according to gestational age: Group I (GA< 28 weeks), Group II (GA 28-32 weeks), Group III (GA 33-36 weeks), and Group IV (GA> or = 37 weeks). And we evaluated the incidence, risk factors, and survival of proven NEC. RESULTS: A total of 34 documented cases of proven NEC were identified. The incidence of NEC was highest in group I. Infants with lower gestational ages developed NEC at a more advanced age than the more mature group. The incidences of stage II and III were lower in Group IV than Group I and II (P< 0.05). NEC was associated with diarrhea in group IV as compared with Group II (P< 0.05). The survival rate tends to increase for higher gestational age, but there was no significant difference among four groups. CONCLUSION: The incidence of NEC was higher and the severity of NEC was more serious as gestational age decreased. And NEC was associated with diarrhea in term infants.
