MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF MEDICAL AND SURGICAL NECROTISING ENTEROCOLITIS

Abstract

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is the most serious and frequent gastrointestinal emergency in the neonatal intensive care unit, (NICU) and is a major cause of death in premature infants. It is also associated with considerable morbidity, including increased respiratory support and level of care, need for intravenous antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and has long-term effects on growth and neurodevelopment. This study aims to evaluate the difference in mortality and short-term morbidity between infants with medically and surgically treated NEC in a tertiary-level surgical neonatal unit in Cambridge, England. This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data evaluate..