title: Comparison of clinical characteristics and high-risk factors in Australian aboriginal and non-aboriginal neonates with necrotising enterocolitis.
abstract: In a five-year retrospective data analysis, incidence of > stage II necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) was four times higher in aboriginal (18/125) than non-aboriginal (11/306) neonates, all < or = 32 weeks' gestation. Stage III NEC occurred more frequently (10/18 vs 3/11) and related mortality was higher (44.4% vs 0%) in aboriginal than non-aboriginal neonates. Risk factors for NEC-prolonged rupture of membranes (50% vs 9.1%, p = 0.01), prematurity (median [range] gestational age: 25 (24-28.5) vs 30 [27-33]) weeks, p = 0.02), birth weight (< 1 kg 13 [72%] vs 2 [18%], p = 0.007) and intrauterine growth retardation (50% vs 0%, p = 0.01) occurred more frequently in aboriginal neonates. Though feed type and increments per day were similar, aboriginal neonates received higher volume of feeds/kg/day (median [range]: 154 [145-189] vs 106 [103-134] ml, p < 0.05). Condition at delivery and respiratory status before development of NEC were not significantly different.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Kirwan Hospital for Women, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kadalraja
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Patole
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Whitehall
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000208:ethnology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors