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Decreased survival in necrotizing enterocolitis is significantly associated with neonatal and maternal blood group: the AB isoagglutinin hypothesis

Journal of Perinatology volume 32, pages 626–630 (2012)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the effect of neonatal and maternal blood group on the mortality risk from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review of all neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit over 24 years. Data on birth date, gestational age, maternal/neonatal blood group, number of transfusions, and survival time (defined as date of birth to date of death/discharge) were collected on those with NEC.

Result:

276 neonates with Bell stage II–III NEC were analyzed. AB neonates had a significantly higher risk of mortality from NEC compared with other blood groups (HR 2.87; 95% CI 1.40 to 5.89; P=0.003). Multivariate analysis showed AB blood group to be an independent risk factor for mortality from NEC.

Conclusion:

Neonatal and maternal blood groups are significantly associated with a neonate's survival from NEC. The increased mortality of AB neonates may be related to factors such as neonatal blood group antigens and/or transplacental transfer of isoagglutinins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA

    T Thomson & J Muraskas

  2. Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA

    O Habeeb, P J DeChristopher & S Yong

  3. Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA

    L Glynn

Authors
  1. T Thomson
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  2. O Habeeb
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  3. P J DeChristopher
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  4. L Glynn
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  5. S Yong
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  6. J Muraskas
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Correspondence to J Muraskas.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Thomson, T., Habeeb, O., DeChristopher, P. et al. Decreased survival in necrotizing enterocolitis is significantly associated with neonatal and maternal blood group: the AB isoagglutinin hypothesis. J Perinatol 32, 626–630 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.150

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.150

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