[Frequency of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis at a pediatric hospital]

A revision study of 322 cases of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a six year period at a pediatric hospital is presented. The frequency of NEC was 7.2% of the newborn (NB) admitted to the hospital. Fifty two percent corresponded to grade I on Bell's classification, 37% to grade II and 11% to grade III. Most of the cases were seen in at term newborn (51.3%) even though the proportional frequency in relation to the admissions was 38% in at term newborn and 62% in premature. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal distention, vomiting, and blood in feces. The frequency and intensity of other clinical signs as well as other signs as acidosis, anemia, hyponatremia and hypoprothrombinemia were directly proportional to the severity of the NEC. The radiological data of portal pneumatosis were more frequent in grade III NEC, and several cases of gastric pneumatosis were seen in the grade II NEC. Thirty four patients (10.6%) underwent surgery. The global mortality was 29.5% and in those who underwent surgery 79.4%.