Fulminant necrotising enterocolitis immediately following change to low birth weight formula feeds.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate how low birth weight formula (LBWF) feeds may be implicated in the pathogenesis of a particularly fulminant form of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).


METHODS
A retrospective case note review was undertaken of cases of fulminant NEC between 1997 and 2003 with particular regard to the feeding history.


RESULTS
Nine preterm infants were stable and already tolerating full enteral feeds for a median of seven days prior to developing fulminant NEC within a median of 24 hours following the introduction of LBWF.


CONCLUSIONS
Although fortification of feeds undoubtedly benefits many premature neonates, there may be a tendency for LBWF feeds to preempt the development of fulminant NEC. This possible temporal association between LBWF and fulminant NEC requires further investigation.
Hammond
P J
PJ
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, United Kingdom. philiphammond@doctors.org.uk
Flett
M E
ME
De La Hunt
M
M
D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D012189:Retrospective Studies