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Necrotizing enterocolitis in newborn: nine years' experience.

BACKGROUND
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most significant acquired gastrointestinal (GI) emergency in the neonatal intensive care unit.


METHODS
We sought to gain a clinical perspective on NEC by reviewing the records of NEC patients over a 9-year period. The case histories of 22 infants with NEC treated from September 1, 1986 to September 1, 1995 were reviewed.


RESULTS
Mean gestational age was 32 weeks and mean birth weight was 1774 grams. Eighteen percent were full term babies and 82% were premature. Average age at the onset of NEC was 11 days. The most common clinical manifestations were abdominal distension (100%), gastric retention (64%), unstable vital signs (59%) and Guaiac-positive vomitus or stool (36%). Sixteen cases (73%) were classified as stage III NEC, which has the highest mortality and/or morbidity.


CONCLUSION
Early identification and management are critical to improve the outcome of NEC.