Delay in achieving enteral autonomy and growth outcomes in very low birth weight infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis

• Authors: Kera McNelis, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Gillian Goddard, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Todd Jenkins, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Anne Poindexter, University of Cincinnati; Jacqueline Wessel, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Michael Helmrath, University of Cincinnati; Brenda Poindexter, Emory University
• Journal Title: JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
• Volume: Volume 41, Number 1
• Publisher: SPRINGERNATURE | 2020-12-02, Pages 150-156
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00880-z
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Biology, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Pediatrics; SHORT-BOWEL SYNDROME; PRETERM INFANTS; INTESTINAL FAILURE; NUTRITION

Abstract

Objective: To understand the nutritional intake and growth outcomes of very low birth weight infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Study design: In a retrospective cohort study, linear mixed models were used to compare growth outcomes from birth to 24 months corrected age for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with surgical NEC to those with spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP). Kaplan-Meier curves were developed to demonstrate the duration of parenteral nutrition (PN) use. Result: Height differed by surgical NEC and SIP over time (interaction p = 0.03). Surviving infants with surgical NEC had lower head circumference z-scores at 24 months. Of infants surviving surgical NEC, 71% received PN for >60 days after diagnosis. Conclusion: The majority of infants with surgical NEC have a delay in achieving enteral autonomy. There was a difference in linear catch-up growth over time between infants with SIP and surgical NEC at 24 months.