Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in Lagos

The records of 14 infants in whom the diagnosis of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis was made between 1978 and 1984 were studied. The distance appeared in the second week of life of the majority (57%) of the babies, and was equally prevalent in preterm and term babies. Infections seemed to be the predisposing factor in all cases although no transmissable pathogens were identified. Abdominal distention (57%), rectal bleeding (21%) and bowel perforation (14%) were the main presenting features. The only three survivors were among the babies treated medically including intravenous metronidazole. The only baby that survived bowel resection succumbed three months later to jejunostomy diarrhoea. Extended medical management including intravenous metronidazole is being suggested as the treatment for acute NNEC in developing countries while surgical treatment is reserved only for perforation and uncontrollable rectal bleeding.