Abstract
We examined the epidemiologic features of age at onset of NEC and studied infants of ≤1500 grams (gm) birthweight (BW) with NEC for factors predictive of early (<10 days) and late (>10 days) onset. For 1977-1978 NEC cases in Georgia, we found that mean age at onset of NEC increased as BW decreased; the proportion of infants with late onset illness declined from 66% for BW ≤1000 gm to 0% for BW >2500 gm (p<.0001, linear trend). BW specific weekly attack rates (AR) and mean gestational age (GA) for each BW group were:
The AR declined significantly at 35-36 wks equivalent GA for each BW group. Only 4 of 62 infants with BW >1500 gm had late onset illness compared to 45 of 86 weighing ≤1500 gm. For infants with NEC weighing ≤1500 gm, no significant differences were found in Apgar scores, use of antibiotics, feedings, presence of 19 maternal and 14 neonatal risk factors or in outcome of illness between those of early and late onset. Our data support a major role for gut immaturity as a determinant of the risk period for development of NEC.
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Wilson, R., Kanto, W., Mccarthy, B. et al. 1465 AGE AT ONSET FOR NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS (NEC): EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND CLINICAL ANALYSIS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 687 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01494
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01494