Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis following intrauterine transfusions: is there an association?

The case of a neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) following intrauterine transfusions (IUTs) for Rhesus hemolytic disease (RHD) prompted us to undertake a retrospective study (1995-2002) to determine whether there is an association between IUT and NEC. Maternal and neonatal demographics, and details concerning IUT and definite (> or =Stage II) NEC, were collected. Chi2 tests of association were performed. In our population 281/38,200 (0.73%) pregnancies were complicated by RHD. Fetal anemia necessitated IUT in 25/281 pregnancies. Definite NEC occurred in 59/11,814 (very low birth weight=1874) neonatal admissions. Except for the index case, no other neonate developed NEC following IUT. No significant association was found between IUT and NEC.