Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Survey by the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons

Lee, S K; Kim, D Y; Kim, S G; Kim, W K; Kim, I K; Kim, S Y; Kim, S C; Kim, J E; Kim, J C; Park, K W; Park, W H; Seo, J M; Song, Y T; Oh, S M; Oh, J T; Lee, N H; Lee, D S; Lee, S C; Jun, Y S; Chung, S Y; Chung, S E; Choi, K J; Choi, S O; Choi, S H; Han, S J

Abstract

A nationwide survey on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was undertaken among members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The members were required to complete a questionnaire and the case registration form for each patient during the three-year period from July 2001 to June 2004. Eighty one patients were included in the questionnaire, but only 71 patients were registered from 22 members in 16 hospitals. At the same time survey on focal intestinal perforation (FIP) was undertaken and 17 patients were registered from 11 members in 10 hospitals. Total 19,041 newborns were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit during the study period. Eighty one patients (17.27 %) were underwent surgery among 469 babies who were managed under the impression of NEC. The male to female ratio was 2.1:1. The premature were 60.6 %. The most common site of involvement was ileum. Overall and operation survival of NEC were 72 % and 79 %, respectively. The survival was lower in smaller babies, multiple segments involvement and involvement of both the small and large intestine. But there was no difference in survival according to sex or prematurity. The FIP showed very similarity with NEC in terms of incidence, and the age of diagnosis and operation. But the survival was much better and 100 %. The results showed the clinical characteristics of NEC and the trend of management in NEC in Korea. In the future we hope we can discuss about this topic in prospective manner.