Frequency of and risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis in infants born before 33 weeks of gestation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency of and risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among infants of <33 wk of gestation.


METHODS
Prospective follow-up of 140 inpatients.


RESULTS
26 (18.6%) subjects developed NEC stage I-III and 12 (8.6%) severe NEC (stage II-III). Breast milk fortifier and duration of morphine infusion emerged as the statistically significant factors associated with NEC stage I-III, but only the latter had a significant association with severe NEC.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies are needed to be established whether morphine is a causative factor in NEC.
Hällström
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Koivisto
A M
AM
Janas
M
M
Tammela
O
O
D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D009020:Morphine