Low birthweight, gestational age, need for surgical intervention and gram‐negative bacteraemia predict intestinal failure following necrotising enterocolitis

AIM: Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of intestinal failure (IF), morbidity and mortality following NEC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all neonates treated for NEC stage II or greater at a tertiary referral NICU between 2000 and 2009. Demographic data, need for surgery, residual bowel length and rates of bacteraemia, cholestasis, IF and mortality were analysed. RESULTS: During the 10-year period, 301 patients were referred with NEC and 152 had surgical intervention. Overall mortality was 32%. Of the 230 infants who survived >42 days, 97 (42%) had IF at 42 days, decreasing to 15% at >90 days. The rate of IF was significantly higher in the surgical group than the medical group (OR 2.04, 95% CI, 1.25-3.35, p < 0.004), but 23% of the medically treated infants with NEC also developed IF. There was a significant relationship between IF and gram-negative bacteraemia, the need for surgery, cholestasis, liver failure and mortality. CONCLUSION: Intestinal failure occurred in a significant proportion of infants with NEC. Predictors for IF among infants with NEC were low birthweight, low gestational age, need for surgical intervention and gram-negative bacteraemia.