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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Cluster of late preterm and term neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis symptomatology: descriptive and case-control
Emmanouela Sdona1, Dimitrios Papamichail2, Takis Panagiotopoulos2
1a Department of Neonatology , Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens Medical School , Athens , Greece .
Objective:
To investigate a necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cluster of late preterm and term neonates (gestational age ≥34 weeks).
Methods:
We conducted a descriptive and a case-control study. Medical records of neonates with modified Bell stage ≥ IB NEC and matched controls were reviewed, in addition to microbiological and environmental investigation. Study variables included maternal/delivery and neonatal factors, medications, procedures and feeding practices. Univariable/multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for all and for stage ≥ II cases.
Results:
Out of 1841 late preterm and term neonates, 10 stage IB and 10 stage ≥ II [mean(SD) birthweight 2529.3 (493.04) g, gestational age 36.96 (1.48) weeks] presented with NEC symptomatology at mean 4.6 (range 2-8) days. Nearly all (19/20) resulted from high-risk pregnancies and received postpartum intermediate care. All were exclusively or partly formula fed. Most (14/20) were born by cesarean delivery. Eight underwent surgery, with no fatality. Intermediate care (p = 0.006), transient tachypnea (p = 0.049), not receiving breast milk (p = 0.019) and in addition intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (p = 0.017) for stage ≥ II cases were independently associated with NEC.
Conclusions:
Late preterm and term neonates in need of intermediate care, with IUGR and transient tachypnea were susceptible to NEC; feeding with breast milk was an important protective factor.
