Necrotizing enterocolitis associated with rotavirus infection

Infection has been widely reported as one of the factors usually incriminated in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a previously ischemic bowel. Gram-negative bacteria have previously been implicated as pathogens in this dangerous entity, for which neonates are at high risk. However, viral infections have rarely been reported in connection with NEC. Rotavirus was identified in the stools of two premature infants who developed the full-blown picture of NEC in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot. Both cases occurred within a period of 3 months, during the winter season. During that time, rotavirus was diagnosed in the stools of 10 other infants admitted to the NICU. The detection of rotavirus in the stools of the two premature infants with NEC observed by us strongly suggests that rotavirus should be included in the list of infectious agents associated with the development of NEC.