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The epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis infant mortality in the United States
R C Holman1, B J Stoll, M J Clarke
1Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Objectives:
This study examined trends and risk factors for infant mortality associated with necrotizing enterocolitis in the United States.
Methods:
Necrotizing enterocolitis-associated deaths and infant mortality rates from 1979 through 1992 were determined by means of US multiple cause-of-death and linked birth/infant death data.
Results:
Annual necrotizing enterocolitis infant mortality rates decreased from 1979 through 1986 but increased thereafter and were lower during the 3-year period before (1983 through 1985;11.5 per 100,000 live births) the introduction of surfactants than after (1990 through 1992; 12.3 per 100,000). Low-birthweight singleton infants who were Black male, or born to mothers younger than 17 had increased risk for necrotizing enterocolitis-associated death.
Conclusions:
As mortality among low-birth weight infants continues to decline and smaller newborns survive early causes of death, necrotizing enterocolitis-associated infant mortality may increase.