Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
Published on: July 28, 2022
Comparing Healthcare Needs in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants With NEC and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation
Priyanka V Chugh1, Emily Nes1, Katherine Culbreath1
1Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery, Boston, MA, USA.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants both increase risks for neurodevelopmental issues and healthcare needs. NEC poses a higher risk for severe neurodevelopmental disability and post-discharge surgery compared to SIP.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Surgery
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) affect 6-8% of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
- While SIP has lower mortality than NEC, both conditions present similar short-term morbidities.
- Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes following NEC and SIP in ELBW infants remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the long-term neurodevelopmental and healthcare outcomes of ELBW infants with laparotomy-confirmed NEC versus SIP.
- To assess the risks of severe neurodevelopmental disability, growth failure, rehospitalization, and post-discharge surgical needs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from 59 North American neonatal units for ELBW infants (401-1000g or 22-27 weeks gestational age) born 2011-2018.
- Follow-up evaluations at 16-26 months corrected age for infants with confirmed NEC, SIP, and controls.
- Primary outcome: severe neurodevelopmental disability. Secondary outcomes: weight <10th percentile, medical readmission, post-discharge surgery, and home medical support.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in overall outcomes when directly comparing NEC to SIP.
- Infants with NEC showed a significantly higher risk of severe neurodevelopmental disability (ARR 1.43) and rehospitalization (ARR 1.46) compared to controls.
- Infants with NEC (ARR 1.82) and SIP (ARR 1.64) both had increased risks of post-discharge surgery compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- ELBW infants with NEC face significantly increased risks for severe neurodevelopmental disability and greater post-discharge healthcare needs.
- ELBW infants with SIP also experience increased healthcare needs, particularly regarding post-discharge surgery.
- These findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring for both NEC and SIP survivors.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...

