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Intestinal location of necrotizing enterocolitis among infants with congenital heart disease

Journal of Perinatology volume 33, pages 783–785 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To determine whether differences exist in the location of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) versus those without CHD.

Study design:

Retrospective cohort study utilizing 11 years of patient data. Inclusion criterion was surgical exploration for NEC. Presence or absence of CHD was determined. Surgical and/or pathology reports were reviewed to identify the location of NEC. Data were analyzed by t-tests and χ2 analyses.

Result:

One hundred and sixty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. CHD infants had a higher percentage of mortality. There was no difference in the location of NEC between non-CHD and CHD patients, with the predominant location being the small intestine in both. In addition, there was no difference in the location of NEC between preterm non-CHD patients and full-term CHD patients with the small intestine again being the primary site.

Conclusion:

Despite differences in gestational age between non-CHD and CHD patients, the location of NEC in these infants did not differ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section for Perinatal Research, The Ohio State University of College and Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    C Cozzi

  2. Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, The Ohio State University of College and Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    J Aldrink

  3. Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University of College and Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    K Nicol

  4. The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University of College and Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    L Nicholson & C Cua

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  1. C Cozzi
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  2. J Aldrink
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  4. L Nicholson
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Correspondence to C Cozzi.

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Cozzi, C., Aldrink, J., Nicol, K. et al. Intestinal location of necrotizing enterocolitis among infants with congenital heart disease. J Perinatol 33, 783–785 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.49

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