ABSTRACT

NEC is more common in newborns with low birth weight and low gestational age. The severity of the illness is closely associated with laboratory abnormalities such as anemia, leucopenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Mortality risk is higher in advanced stages of the disease requiring surgery, and especially small babies.

The incidence of NEC was found as 7.5% among the total patient population. Mean gestational age and birth weight of NEC patients were 27.5±2.5 weeks and 1044±485 grams. Ninety percent of NEC patients were born under 1500 grams and 30 weeks. Twenty-four cases were classified as stage 1, and 13 cases were classified as stage 2-3. Stage 2-3 NEC was diagnosed in 9.8% of very low birth weight infants. The mean gestational age, birth weight, gender, delivery type, Apgar scores and the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, diagnosis and/or treatment of patent ductus arteriosus, retinopathy of prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome, intracranial hemorrhage were similar between patients with different stages of NEC. Gastrointestinal perforation developed in six of the stage 2-3 cases. Platelet count and hematocrit levels were lower (p<0.01 and p=0.02); mortality rate was higher (p=0.02) in stage 2-3 patients when compared to stage 1 patients.

Thirty seven patients diagnosed with NEC among the 488 cases followed up in our clinic between 2010-2011 were included into this study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors, characteristic features, clinical and laboratory findings and mortality rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) patients.