NEONATAL NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS - THE RELATION OF AGE AT THE TIME OF ONSET TO PROGNOSIS

Abstract

The predisposing factors, age at the time of onset and prognosis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in 62 patients treated in a neonatal intensive care unit during a 5 yr period (1974-1978) were evaluated. Because of a peak frequency during the 1st wk of life, the cases were divided into those of early-onset illness (appearing within the 1st wk of life) and those of late-onset illness (appearing after this wk). The main differences between the 2 groups were in the age at the time of the 1st enteric feeding (1.6 .+-. 0.9 d [day] vs. 4.0 .+-. 2.4 d [mean .+-. SD]; P < 0.001) and the interval between this feeding and the onset of symptoms (3.0 .+-. 1.5 d vs. 10.6 .+-. 6.0 d; P < 0.001). The early-onset illness was more severe, more often necessitating surgical intervention and carrying a higher mortality, than the late-onset illness. There are apparently 2 forms of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, differing in time of appearance after birth as well as in severity and prognosis.