The epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis infant mortality in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Holman
R C
RC
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Stoll
B J
BJ
Clarke
M J
MJ
Glass
R I
RI
D017677:Age Distribution; D001719:Birth Certificates; D001724:Birth Weight; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends*; D003644:Death Certificates; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants