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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model
Published on: July 28, 2023
Long-term growth outcomes in neonates diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis: a 20-year analysis
Adil J Malek1, Mary M Mrdutt1, Marinda G Scrushy2
1Department of General Surgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Texas A&M, Temple, TX.
Purpose:
Limited data exists for longitudinal growth outcomes in neonates with a history of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We aimed to study 20-year growth outcomes in NEC survivors.
Methods:
A retrospective matched cohort study included neonates diagnosed with NEC and control subjects matched for birth year, birth weight, and gestational age who had at least one post-discharge follow-up. The primary outcome was growth, measured by length and weight until 20 years. Logistic regression was used to test the change in growth from birth until most recent encounter.
Results:
Five hundred twenty-seven neonates were included: 294 with NEC, and 233 controls. Sixty-eight percent of NEC cases were Bell's stage I, 25% were stage II, and 7% were stage III. Median gestational age was 29 weeks, and median birth weight was 1237 g. Infants with NEC had a longer NICU stay (p < 0.0001) and increased number of comorbidities (p < 0.0001). Compared to overall and sex-matched controls, infants with NEC had a significantly slower growth rate in terms of weight (p < 0.0068) but not length (p = 0.09). Neither group exhibited failure to thrive.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that non-surgical NEC may have a more profound impact on long-term growth than previously considered.
Type Of Study:
Retrospective Cohort-Matched Study.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III.
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