Short-term outcomes for preterm infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis

To characterize the population and short-term outcomes in preterm infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Preterm infants with surgical NEC were identified from 27 hospitals over 3 years using the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database; infants with gastroschisis, volvulus, major congenital heart disease or surgical NEC that resolved prior to referral were excluded. Patient characteristics and pre-discharge morbidities were stratified by gestational age (<28 vs 28(0/7) to 36(6/7) weeks' gestation).

Of the 753 eligible infants, 60% were born at <28 weeks' gestation. The median age at referral was 14 days; only 2 infants were inborn. Male gender (61%) was overrepresented, whereas antenatal steroid exposure was low (46%). Although only 11% had NEC totalis, hospital mortality (<28 weeks' gestation: 41%; 28(0/7) to 36(6/7) weeks' gestation: 32%, P=0.02), short bowel syndrome (SBS)/intestinal failure (IF) (20% vs 26%, P=0.06) and the composite of mortality or SBS/IF (50% vs 49%, P=0.7) were prevalent. Also, white matter injury (11.7% vs 6.6%, P=0.02) and grade 3 to 4 intraventricular hemorrhages (23% vs 2.7%, P<0.01) were commonly diagnosed. After referral, the median length of hospitalization was longer for survivors (106 days; interquartile range (IQR) 79, 152) relative to non-survivors (2 days; IQR 1,17; P<0.001). These survivors were prescribed parenteral nutrition infrequently after hospital discharge (<28 weeks': 5.2%; 28(0/7) to 36(6/7) weeks': 9.9%, P=0.048).

After referral for surgical NEC, the short-term outcomes are grave, particularly for infants born <28 weeks' gestation. Although analyses to predict outcomes are urgently needed, these data suggest that affected infants are at a high risk for lengthy hospitalizations and adverse medical and neuro-developmental abnormalities.