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Microfluidic Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Incorporating Human Neonatal Intestinal Enteroids and a Dysbiotic Microbiome
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Functional impairments at school age of children with necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation

Elise Roze1, Bastiaan D P Ta, Meike H van der Ree

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. e.roze@bkk.umcg.nl

Pediatric Research
|August 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) often experience motor and cognitive impairments. These neurodevelopmental outcomes persist into school age, highlighting a specific risk group needing further attention.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) are severe neonatal conditions.
  • Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for survivors of NEC and SIP require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess school-age motor, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes in children with a history of NEC or SIP.
  • To compare outcomes between NEC/SIP survivors and a control group.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study included infants with NEC (Bell's stage IIA+) or SIP and matched controls (1996-2002).
  • School-age assessments included motor skills, intelligence quotient (IQ), visual perception, attention, and executive functions.
  • 52 survivors were followed up at a mean age of 9 years.

Main Results:

  • 68% of NEC/SIP survivors had borderline/abnormal motor scores versus 45% of controls.
  • Mean IQ was significantly lower in NEC/SIP survivors (86 ± 14) compared to controls (97 ± 9).
  • Attention and visual perception were significantly impaired in the NEC/SIP group.

Conclusions:

  • Children with NEC or SIP face a significant risk of borderline or abnormal motor function and intelligence at school age.
  • Impaired attention and visual perception are specific deficits observed in this cohort.
  • NEC/SIP survivors represent a distinct risk group for functional impairments, even without overt brain pathology.

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