Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
Volume 17, Issue 2 , Pages 98-109 , May 2008

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolits

  • Marion C.W. Henry, MD
    • ,
  • R. Lawrence Moss, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests and correspondence: R. Lawrence Moss, MD, Section of Pediatric Surgery, 333 Cedar Street, FMB 132, P.O. Box 208062, New Haven, CT 06520-8062.

References 

  1. Guthrie SO, Gordon PV, Thomas V, et al. Necrotizing enterocolitis among neonates in the United States. J Perinatol. 2003;23:278–285
  2. Luig M, Lui K NSW, ACT NICUS Group. Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (II. Risks and susceptibility of premature infants during the surfactant era: a regional study). J Paediatr Child Health. 2005;41(4):174–179
  3. Guillet R, Stoll BJ, Cotton CM, et al. Association of H2-blocker therapy and higher incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics. 2006;117(2):e137–e142
  4. Llanos AR, Moss ME, Pinzon MC, et al. Epidemiology of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis: a population-based study. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2002;16(4):342–349
  5. Holman RC, Stoll BJ, Curns AT, et al. Necrotising enterocolitis hospitalisations among neonates in the United States. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2006;20(6):498–506
  6. Sankaran K, Puckett B, Lee DS, et al. Variations in incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in Canadian neonatal intensive care units. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004;39(4):366–372
  7. Lin PW, Stoll BJ. Necrotising enterocolitis. Lancet. 2006;368(9543):1271–1283
  8. Stoll BJ. Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis. Clin Perinatol. 1994;21(2):205–218
  9. Gerber AR, Hopkins RS, Lauer BA, et al. Increased risk of illness among nursery staff caring for neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatr Infect Dis. 1985;4(3):246–249
  10. Boccia D, Stolfi I, Lana S, et al. Nosocomial necrotising enterocolitis outbreaks: epidemiology and control measures. Eur J Pediatr. 2001;160(6):385–391
  11. Ng S. Necrotizing enterocolitis in the full-term neonate. J Paediatr Child Health. 2001;37(1):1–4
  12. Sharma R, Hudak ML, Tepas JJ, et al. Impact of gestational age on the clinical presentation and surgical outcome of necrotizing enterocolitis. J Perinatol. 2006;26(6):342–347
  13. Sharma R, Tepas JJ, Mollitt DL, et al. Surgical management of bowel perforations and outcome in very low-birth-weight infants (≤1,200 g). J Pediatr Surg. 2004;39(2):190–194
  14. Ein SH, Marshall DG, Girvan D. Peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for perforations from necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1977;12(6):963–967
  15. Janik JS, Ein SH. Peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) perforation: a second look. J Pediatr Surg. 1980;15(4):565–566
  16. Cheu HW, Sukarochana K, Lloyd DA. Peritoneal drainage for necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1988;23(6):557–561
  17. Takamatsu H, Akiyama H, Ibara S, et al. Treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis perforation in the extremely premature infant (weighing less than 1,000 g). J Pediatr Surg. 1992;27(6):741–743
  18. Horwitz JR, Lally KP, Cheu HW, et al. Complications after surgical intervention for necrotizing enterocolitis: a multicenter review. J Pediatr Surg. 1995;30(7):994–998discussion 998-9
  19. Azarow KS, Ein SH, Shandling B, et al. Laparotomy or drain for perforated necrotizing enterocolitis: who gets what and why?. Pediatr Surg Int. 1997;12(2-3):137–139
  20. Morgan LJ, Shochat SJ, Hartman GE. Peritoneal drainage as primary management of perforated NEC in the very low birth weight infant. J Pediatr Surg. 1994;29(2):310–314discussion 314-5
  21. Lessin MS, Luks FI, Wesselhoeft CW. Peritoneal drainage as definitive treatment for intestinal perforation in infants with extremely low birth weight (<750 gms). J Pediatr Surg. 1998;33:370–372
  22. Camberos A, Patel K, Applebaum H. Laparotomy in very small premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis or focal intestinal perforation: postoperative outcome. J Pediatr Surg. 2002;37(12):1692–1695
  23. Demestre X, Ginovart G, Figueras-Aloy J, et al. Peritoneal drainage as primary management in necrotizing enterocolitis: a prospective study. J Pediatr Surg. 2002;37(11):1534–1539
  24. Moss RL, Dimmitt RA, Henry MC, et al. A meta-analysis of peritoneal drainage versus laparotomy for perforated necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36(8):1210–1213
  25. Blakely ML, Tyson JE, Lally KP, et al. Laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage for necrotizing enterocolitis or isolated intestinal perforation in extremely low birth weight infants: outcomes through 18 months adjusted age. Pediatrics. 2006;117(4):e680–e687
  26. Moss RL, Dimmitt RA, Barnhart DC, et al. Laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage for necrotizing enterocolitis and perforation. N Engl J Med. 2006;354(21):2225–2234[Published erratum appears in N Engl J Med 2006;355(8):856].
  27. Georgeson KE. Short-bowel syndrome. In:  O’Neill JA, et al. editor. Pediatric Surgery. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 1998;p. 1223–1232
  28. Thompson JS. Surgical rehabilitation of intestine in short bowel syndrome. Surgery. 2004;135:465–470
  29. Goulet OJ, Revillon Y, Jan D, et al. Neonatal short bowel syndrome. J Pediatr. 1991;119(1):18–23
  30. Georgeson KE, Breaux CW. Outcome and intestinal adaptation in neonatal short-bowel syndrome. J Pediatr Surg. 1992;27(3):344–348discussion 348-50
  31. Chaet MS, Farrell MK, Ziegler MM, et al. Intensive nutritional support and remedial surgical intervention for extreme short bowel syndrome. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1994;19(3):295–298
  32. Andorsky DJ, Lund DP, Lillehei CW, et al. Nutritional and other postoperative management of neonates with short bowel syndrome correlates with clinical outcomes. J Pediatr. 2001;139(1):27–33
  33. Galea M, Holliday H, Carachi L. Short-bowel syndrome: a collective review. J Pediatr Surg. 1992;27:592–596
  34. Sondheimer JM, Cadnapaphornchai M, Sontag M, et al. Predicting the duration of dependence on enteral nutrition after neonatal intestinal resection. J Pediatr. 1998;132:80–84
  35. Kaufman SS, Loseke CA, Lupo JV. Influence of bacterial overgrowth and intestinal inflammation on duration of parenteral nutrition in children with short bowel syndrome. J Pediatr. 1997;131:356–361
  36. Wilmore DW. Factors correlating with a successful outcome following extreme intestinal resection in newborn infants. J Pediatr. 1972;80:88–95
  37. Kurkchubasche AG, Rowe M, Smith S. Adaptation in short-bowel syndrome: reassessing old limits. J Pediatr Surg. 1993;28:1069–1071
  38. Thompson JS, Quigley EMM, Adrian TE. Effect of intestinal tapering and lengthening on intestinal structure and function. Am J Surg. 1995;169:111–119
  39. Mayr J, Fasching G, Hollwarth ME. Psychosocial and psychomotoric development of very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1994;396:96–100
  40. Weber TR, Tracy T, Connors RH. Short-bowel syndrome in children (Quality of life in an era of improved survival). Arch Surg. 1991;126(7):841–846
  41. Cooper A, Ross AJ, O’Neill JA, et al. Resection with primary anastomosis for necrotizing enterocolitis: a contrasting view. J Pediatr Surg. 1988;23(1):64–68
  42. Lemelle JL, Schmitt M, de Miscault G, et al. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: a retrospective and multicentric review of 331 cases. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1994;396:70–73
  43. Butter A, Flageole H, Laberge JM. The changing face of surgical indications for necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 2002;37(3):496–499
  44. Schimpl G, Hollwarth ME, Fotter R, et al. Late intestinal strictures following successful treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1994;396:80–83
  45. Weber TR, Tracy TF, Silen ML, et al. Enterostomy and its closure in newborns. Arch Surg. 1995;130(5):534–537
  46. O’Connor A, Sawin RS. High morbidity of enterostomy and its closure in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Arch Surg. 1998;133(8):875–880
  47. Gobet R, Sacher P, Schwobel MG. Surgical procedures in colonic strictures after necrotizing enterocolitis. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1994;396:77–79
  48. Fasoli L, Turi RA, Spitz L, et al. Necrotizing enterocolitis: extent of disease and surgical treatment. J Pediatr Surg. 1999;34(7):1096–1099
  49. Hartman GE, Drugas GT, Shochat SJ. Post-necrotizing enterocolitis strictures presenting with sepsis or perforation: risk of clinical observation. J Pediatr Surg. 1988;23(6):562–566
  50. Schullinger JN, Mollitt DL, Vinocur CD, et al. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (Survival, management, and complications: a 25-year study). Am J Dis Child. 1981;135(7):612–614
  51. Bell MJ, Ternberg JL, Askin FB, et al. Intestinal stricture in necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1976;11(3):319–327
  52. Schwartz MZ, Richardson CJ, Hayden CK, et al. Intestinal stenosis following successful medical management of necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1980;15(6):890–899
  53. Kosloske AM. Surgery of necrotizing enterocolitis. World J Surg. 1985;9(2):277–284
  54. Kosloske AM, Burstein J, Bartow SA. Intestinal obstruction due to colonic stricture following neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Ann Surg. 1980;192(2):202–207
  55. Kurscheid T, Holschneider AM. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): mortality and long-term results. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 1993;3(3):139–143
  56. Janik JS, Ein SH, Mancer K. Intestinal stricture after necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1981;16(4):438–443
  57. Radhakrishnan J, Blechman G, Shrader C, et al. Colonic strictures following successful medical management of necrotizing enterocolitis: a prospective study evaluating early gastrointestinal contrast studies. J Pediatr Surg. 1991;26(9):1043–1046
  58. Ricketts RR, Jerles ML. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: experience with 100 consecutive surgical patients. World J Surg. 1990;14(5):600–605
  59. Robertson JF, Azmy AF, Young DG. Surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis. Br J Surg. 1987;74(5):387–389
  60. Ricketts RR. Surgical therapy for necrotizing enterocolitis. Ann Surg. 1984;200(5):653–657
  61. Albanese CT, Rowe MI. Necrotizing enterocolitis. Semin Pediatr Surg. 1995;4(4):200–206
  62. Born M, Holgersen LO, Shahrivar F, et al. Routine contrast enemas for diagnosing and managing strictures following nonoperative treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1985;20(4):461–463
  63. Kliegman RM, Fanaroff AA. Necrotizing enterocolitis. N Engl J Med. 1984;310(17):1093–1103
  64. Blakely ML, Lally KP, McDonald S, et al. Postoperative outcomes of extremely low birth-weight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis or isolated intestinal perforation: a prospective cohort study by the NICHD Neonatal Research Network. Ann Surg. 2005;241(6):984–989discussion 989-94
  65. Stevenson DK, Kerner JA, Malachowski N, et al. Late morbidity among survivors of necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatrics. 1980;66(6):925–927
  66. Walsh MC, Kliegman RM, Hack M. Severity of necrotizing enterocolitis: influence on outcome at 2 years of age. Pediatrics. 1989;84(5):808–814
  67. Waugh J, O’Callaghan MJ, Tudehope DI, et al. Prevalence and aetiology of neurological impairment in extremely low birthweight infants. J Paediatr Child Health. 1996;32(2):120–124
  68. Holmsgaard KW, Petersen S. Infants with gestational age 28 weeks or less. Danish Med Bull. 1996;43(1):86–91
  69. Tobiansky R, Lui K, Roberts S, et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery. J Paediatr Child Health. 1995;31(3):233–236
  70. Chacko J, Ford WD, Haslam R. Growth and neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely-low-birth-weight infants after laparotomy. Pediatr Surg Int. 1999;15(7):496–499
  71. Sonntag J, Grimmer I, Scholz T, et al. Growth and neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Acta Paediatr. 2000;89(5):528–532
  72. Yeh TC, Chang JH, Kao HA, et al. Necrotizing enterocolitis in infants: clinical outcome and influence on growth and neurodevelopment. J Formosan Med Assoc. 2004;103(10):761–766
  73. Soraisham AS, Amin HJ, Al-Hindi MY, et al. Does necrotising enterocolitis impact the neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in preterm infants with birthweight ≤1250 g?. J Paediatr Child Health. 2006;42(9):499–504
  74. Simon NP, Brady NR, Stafford RL, et al. The effect of abdominal incisions on early motor development of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1993;35(1):49–53
  75. Castro L, Yolton K, Haberman B, et al. Bias in reported neurodevelopmental outcomes among extremely low birth weight survivors. Pediatrics. 2004;114(2):404–410
  76. Hintz SR, Kendrick DE, Stoll BJ, et al. Neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants after necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatrics. 2005;115(3):696–703
  77. Schulzke SM, Deshpande GC, Patole SK. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low-birth-weight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis: a systematic review of observational studies. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(6):583–590
  78. Rees CM, Pierro A, Eaton S. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates with medically and surgically treated necrotizing enterocolitis. Arch Dis Childhood Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2007;92(3):F193–F198
  79. Beeby P, Jeffrey H. Risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis: the influence of gestational age. Arch Dis Childhood. 1992;67:432–435
  80. Henderson G, Anthony MY, McGuire W. Formula milk versus term human milk for feeding preterm or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;3:3
  81. Henderson G, Anthony MY, McGuire W. Formula milk versus term human milk for feeding preterm or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;4:CD002971
  82. Kuschel CA, Harding JE. Multicomponent fortified human milk for promoting growth in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;1:CD000343
  83. Shah P, Shah V. Arginine supplementation for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;18(3):CD004339
  84. Amin HJ, Zamora SA, McMillan DD, et al. Arginine supplementation prevents necrotizing enterocolitis in the premature infant. J Pediatr. 2002;140(4):425–431
  85. Novak F, Heyland DK, Avendl A, et al. Glutamine supplementation in serious illness: a systematic review of the evidence. Crit Care Med. 2002;30:2022–2029
  86. Tubman TRJ, Thompson SW, McGuire W. Glutamine supplementation to prevent morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;1:CD001457
  87. Tyson JE, Kennedy KA. Trophic feedings for parenterally fed infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;3:CD000504
  88. Premji S, Chessell L. Continuous nasogastric milk feeding versus intermittent bolus milk feeding for premature infants less than 1500 grams. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;1:CD001819
  89. Kennedy KA, Tyson JE. Early versus delayed initiation of progressive enteral feedings for parenterally fed low birth weight or preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;1:CD001970
  90. Uauy RD, Fanaroff AA, Korones SB, et al. Necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants: biodemographic and clinical correlates (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network). J Pediatr. 1991;119(4):630–638
  91. Brown EG, Sweet AY. Preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates. J Am Med Assoc. 1978;240(22):2452–2454
  92. Kennedy KA, Tyson JE. Rapid versus slow rate of advancement of feedings for promoting growth and preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in parenterally fed low-birth-weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1998;4:CD001241
  93. Berseth CL, Bisquera JA, Paje VU. Prolonging small feeding volumes early in life decreases the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics. 2003;111(3):529–534
  94. Tyson JE, Kennedy KA. Trophic feedings for parenterally fed infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;3:CD000504
  95. Kennedy KA, Tyson JE, Chamnanvanakij S. Rapid versus slow rate of advancement of feedings for promoting growth and preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in parenterally fed low-birth-weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;2:CD001241
  96. Bauer CR. Necrotizing enterocolitis. In:  Sinclair J,  Bracken M editor. Effective Care of the Newborn Infant. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1992;
  97. Foster J, Cole M. Oral immunoglobulin for preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm and low birth-weight neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;3:CD001816
  98. Bury RG, Tudehope D. Enteral antibiotics for preventing necrotising enterocolitis in low birthweight or preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;1:CD000405
  99. Deshpande G, Rao S, Patole S. Probiotics for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm neonates with very low birthweight: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2007;369:1614–1620
  100. Ein SH, Shandling B, Wesson D, et al. A 13-year experience with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for necrotizing enterocolitis perforation. J Pediatr Surg. 1990;25(10):1034–1036discussion 1036-7.
  101. Snyder CL, Gittes GK, Murphy JP, et al. Survival after necrotizing enterocolitis in infants weighing less than 1,000 g: 25 years’ experience at a single institution. J Pediatr Surg. 1997;32(3):434–437
  102. Ahmed T, Ein S, Moore A. The role of peritoneal drains in treatment of perforated necrotizing enterocolitis: recommendations from recent experience. J Pediatr Surg. 1998;33(10):1468–1470
  103. Rovin JD, Rodgers BM, Burns RC, et al. The role of peritoneal drainage for intestinal perforation in infants with and without necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 1999;34(1):143–147
  104. Downard C, Campbell T. Peritoneal drainage for neonatal intestinal perforation. Las Vegas, NV. 33rd Annual meeting of Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons, 2000.
  105. Dimmitt RA, Meier AH, Skarsgard ED, et al. Salvage laparotomy for failure of peritoneal drainage in necrotizing enterocolitis in infants with extremely low birth weight. J Pediatr Surg. 2000;35(6):856–859
  106. Dzakovic A, Notrica DM, Smith EO, et al. Primary peritoneal drainage for increasing ventilatory requirements in critically ill neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36(5):730–732
  107. Ehrlich PF, Sato TT, Short BL, et al. Outcome of perforated necrotizing enterocolitis in the very low-birth weight neonate may be independent of the type of surgical treatment. Am Surg. 2001;67(8):752–756
  108. Noble HG, Driessnack M. Bedside peritoneal drainage in very low birth weight infants. Am J Surg. 2001;181(5):416–419
  109. Gollin G, Abarbanell A, Baerg JE. Peritoneal drainage as definitive management of intestinal perforation in extremely low-birth-weight infants. J Pediatr Surg. 2003;38(12):1814–1817
  110. Banieghbal B, Schoeman L, Kalk F, et al. Surgical indications and strategies for necrotizing enterocolitis in low income countries. World J Surg. 2002;26(4):444–447
  111. Hall NJ, Curry J, Drake DP, et al. Resection and primary anastamosis is a valid surgical option for infants with necrotizing enterocolitis who weigh less than1000 g. Arch Surg. 2005;140(12):1149–1151
  112. Zencirolu A, Cakmak O, Demirel N, et al. Outcome of primary peritoneal drainage for perforated necrotizing enterocolitis: comparison between laparotomy and drainage. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2005;15(4):243–247

PII: S1055-8586(08)00006-1

doi: 10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2008.02.005

Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
Volume 17, Issue 2 , Pages 98-109 , May 2008

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution