Necrotizing Enterocolitis Associated with Congenital Heart Disease: a Different Entity?
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In brief
In brief
Retrospective case-control study comparing necrotizing enterocolitis in term infants with congenital heart disease (CHD-NEC) versus preterm infants (PT-NEC). Analysis of 18 CHD-NEC and 36 PT-NEC cases from 2004-2014 reveals distinct clinical patterns, with CHD-NEC presenting earlier (median 4 vs 11 days) despite occurring in more mature infants.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) predominantly occurs in preterm infants (PT-NEC). In term neonates, NEC occurs more frequently when a congenital heart disease is present (CHDNEC). Our aim was to evaluate differences and similarities in disease characteristics of PT-NEC versus CHD-NEC.
Methods
In this retrospective case–control study we identified all CHD infants who developed NEC Bell's stage ≥2 in our center from 2004 to 2014. We randomly selected (1:2 ratio) PT-NEC infants from the same period. Biochemical and clinical variables were retrieved from patient files.
Results
We found 18 CHD-NEC infants and selected 36 PT-NEC infants (gestational age 28.3 [25–35.6] weeks vs. 38.6 [31.7–40.7] weeks). Postnatal age at onset was significantly lower in CHD-NEC patients (4 [2–24] vs. 11 [4–41] days, p