A critical analysis of risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis. Issue 6 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rose, Allison Thomas; Patel, Ravi Mangal
• Is Part Of: Seminars in fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 23:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 374
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Necrotizing enterocolitis -- Risk factor -- Prematurity -- Epidemiology -- Neonate; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.9201
• DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2018.07.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-165X

Abstract

Abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common serious gastrointestinal morbidity in preterm infants. A number of risk factors for NEC have been reported in the literature. With the exception of decreasing gestational age, decreasing birth weight and formula feeding, there is disagreement on the importance of reported risk factors with uncertain causality. Causal risk factors may be observed at any time before the onset of NEC, including prior to an infant's birth. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing literature and summarize risk factors for NEC. This review may be helpful in understanding the epidemiology of NEC and inform the measurement and assessment of risks factors for NEC in research studies and quality improvement projects.