Evaluation of factors in high risk neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
Fifty-four neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were separated on basis of outcome. Of 35 factors compared between a high-risk and a low-risk group, only six were found to be statistically significant and useful in the development of a NEC score: number of days before beginning enteral feedings; blood pH; serum bicarbonate concentration; white blood cell differential; abdominal tenderness; and presence of portal vein gas. All laboratory values and physical and radiographic findings were from the initial presentation of NEC. Neonates with a score of 3 or more are at an increased risk of developing severe NEC with a greater than 50% mortality. The study suggests that enteral feedings should be withheld from neonates at risk of developing NEC for the first 12 days of life.
D001034:Apgar Score; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein; D011379:Prognosis; D012306:Risk
D001639:Bicarbonates; D005740:Gases