title: Risk factors and outcome in neonatal necrotising enterocolitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze multiple risk factors of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and the outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hundred neonates with NEC were compared with 100 normal neonates matched for sex, gestation and weight. Their data including antenatal, natal, course of illness, hospital stay, progress and outcome were collected. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of onset of NEC was 2.35 ± 1.11 d. Stage I, II and III were noted in 48 %, 39 % and 13 % of cases respectively. Most common clinical features were abdominal distension (85 %) and feed intolerance (70 %). Important risk factors associated with NEC were sepsis, top feeding, perinatal asphyxia, respiratory distress and mechanical ventilation. Antenatal steroids and breast feeding had beneficial effect. No association was found with occurrence of NEC and cyanotic heart disease or administration of H2 blockers. Outcome in stage III was very poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early identification of risk factors and appropriate intervention may reduce the incidence and improve the outcome in NEC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605006, India.
authors.forename: Bahubali
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gane
authors.forename: B Vishnu
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adhisivam
authors.forename: Rojo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prasadkumar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Femitha
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shruti
mesh_terms: D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome