Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Survival, management, and complications: a 25-year study

• Published in: American journal of diseases of children (1960) Vol. 135; no. 7; p. 612
• Main Authors: Schullinger, J N, Mollitt, D L, Vinocur, C D, Santulli, T V, Driscoll, Jr, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.1981
• Subjects: Birth Weight; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - complications; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - mortality; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - complications; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - mortality; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - therapy; Intestinal Diseases - etiology; Malabsorption Syndromes - etiology
• ISSN: 0002-922X
• DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1981.02130310018007

One hundred sixteen infants with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have been seen during a 25-year period (1955 through 1979). Prior to 1972, the survival rate was 17%; subsequently, it has been 68%. This increased survival is attributed to (1) improved physiologic care of the critically ill infant, (2) the institution of a standard management protocol, and (3) early diagnosis and treatment. Survival following neonatal NEC is attended by a significant incidence of intestinal stricture (21%); however, physical development has been normal and there have been few long-term gastrointestinal tract problems.