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Epidemic occurrence of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|June 1, 1979
Summary
Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) outbreaks in high-risk nurseries suggest an infectious cause. Early antibiotic use may decrease NEC risk or delay its onset in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition affecting premature infants.
- Previous studies on sporadic NEC cases identified various risk factors.
- The etiology of NEC, especially during epidemic periods, remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential risk factors and the etiology of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) during three distinct epidemic outbreaks.
- To explore the role of infant and maternal factors, feeding practices, and antibiotic use in epidemic NEC.
Main Methods:
- Case-control studies were conducted across three high-risk nurseries in different states during NEC epidemics.
- Infant characteristics (birth weight, Apgar scores), perinatal factors, feeding methods (including breast milk), and antibiotic exposure were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No specific risk factor consistently linked affected infants or mothers across all cases.
- Infants in epidemic cases exhibited higher birth weights and Apgar scores compared to sporadic NEC cases.
- Breast milk feeding did not confer protection; early antibiotic therapy showed a decreased risk in one outbreak and delayed onset in two hospitals.
Conclusions:
- The occurrence of NEC in epidemics and the observed effects of antibiotic therapy support an infectious etiology for the condition.
- Further research into infectious agents and the role of the microbiome in NEC pathogenesis is warranted.