Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: Findings From a Retrospective Medical Record Review

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains one of the major unsolved problems in neonatal care. Characterized by ischemic necrosis of the preterm bowel, this devastating disease has emerged as the most common neonatal gastrointestinal emergency in many countries of the world. NEC affects as many as 5% of all infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and results in as many as 3000 deaths per year (Semin Neonatol. 2003;8:449). Intestinal barrier immaturity common to the physiology of the premature infant's gastrointestinal system is thought to be responsible for the development of NEC (Pathophysiology. 1999;5:247). The purpose of the study reported herein was to identify significant differences in the biodemographic factors and clinical characteristics of preterm infants who developed NEC from those who did not develop NEC. The findings provide a clinical profile of the preterm infant at greatest risk for NEC. Neonatal nurses aware of this clinical profile will be able to identify which infants are at greatest risk of developing NEC and tailor care for the most vulnerable infants such that NEC might be prevented.