Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: the relation of age at the time of onset to prognosis.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the predisposing factors, age at the time of onset and prognosis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in 62 patients treated in a neonatal intensive care unit during a 5-year period (1974-78). Because of a peak frequency during the first week of life, the cases were divided into those of early-onset illness (appearing within the first week of life) and those of late-onset illness (appearing after this week). The main differences between the two groups were in the age at the time of the first enteric feeding (1.6 +/- 0.9 d v. 40 +/- 2.4 d [mean +/- one standard deviation]; P less than 0.001) and the interval between this feeding and the onset of symptoms (3.0 +/- 1.5 d v. 10.6 +/- 6.0 d; P less than 0.01). Furthermore, the early-onset illness was more severe, more often necessitating surgical intervention and carrying a higher mortality, than the late-onset illness. Thus, this study demonstrates that there are two forms of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, differing in time of appearance after birth as well as in severity and prognosis.

• Authors: F Teasdale, J C Le Guennec, H Bard, G Perreault, B Doray
• Journal: Canadian Medical Association journal (Can Med Assoc J) Vol. 123 Issue 5 Pg. 387-90 (Sep 06 1980) ISSN: 0008-4409 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 7053195 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Age Factors
• Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous (etiology, therapy)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Newborn, Diseases (etiology, therapy)
• Prognosis