Necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants: single center retrospective and prospective study

Abstract

Aim To identify and evaluate risk factors of very low birth weight infants who developed NEC. Methods Retrospective single center study of 91 newborns with NEC, who were treated between 2016 and 2021 in Kaunas Clinics. Different risk factors were analyzed. In prospective study all very low birth weight (<1500 g) infants are enrolled and followed up. Patients are divided into two groups: control and the ones who develop NEC during the study. The following biological samples are collected: blood, stool, mother’s milk in order to identify risk markers. Results Retrospectively 91 patients with NEC were included in the study, 73 very low birth weight (VLBW) ˂ 1500 g and 18 > 1500 g. Mortality rate was 30 (41,1%) in VLBW group. Early onset NEC (˂7 days) was diagnosed in group with > 1500 g and late onset NEC (> 7 days) in group with ˂ 1500 g. Chorioamnionitis during pregnancy was more often seen in VLBW group 20(27,4%). No association was found between delivery mode or nutrition. In prospective study, during 7 months period, 30 newborns ˂1500 g were included. The median gestational age was 27,8 week’s, median birth weight – 986,1 g. NEC developed in 4 newborns and 1 was operated. Conclusions Our findings showed that lower gestational age, lower birth weight, infection during pregnancy is associated with NEC. Future prospective studies are planned to better understand the process of this disease.