Risk Factors for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborns Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

International Journal of Medical Science

© 2023 by SSRG - IJMS Journal

Volume 10 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2023

Authors : Zain Knaj, Adnan Dayoub

10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V10I6P109

How to Cite?

Zain Knaj, Adnan Dayoub, "Risk Factors for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborns Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," SSRG International Journal of Medical Science, vol. 10,  no. 6, pp. 56-61, 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V10I6P109

Abstract:

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a common complication in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with poor outcomes due to its threatening gastrointestinal and neurodevelopmental complications, especially in premature neonates. Objective: This study aims to evaluate maternal and neonatal risk factors associated with the occurrence of NEC in neonates. Materials and Methods: The research applies an analytic prospective cohort study for the period of one year (2022 – 2023) at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia, Syria. The current study compares between two groups of neonates according to gestational age: group I consists of 25 neonates with a diagnosis of NEC, whereas Group II consists of 361 neonates without NEC. Results: The results show that 6.5% of the study population had NEC, which was observed more frequently in premature neonates than in full-term neonates (4.4% versus 2.1%). In fullterm neonates, the need for respiratory support (RR 4.2), presence of congenital heart anomalies (RR 2.4), gestational hypertension (RR 3.4), transfusion of blood (RR 5.5), presence of anemia (RR 7.7) and SGA (RR 4.02) were independent factors that associated with the risk of progression NEC. In premature neonates, the need for respiratory support (RR 2.1), presence of congenital heart anomalies (RR 3.2), transfusion of blood (RR 9.5), presence of anemia (RR 7.3), and use of the formula for feeding (RR 5.4) were independent factors that associated with the risk of progression NEC. Conclusion: There is a significant prevalence of NEC in our health center, and the presence of anemia and blood transfusion represented the most important warning flags that may predispose to NEC in both full-term and premature neonates, in addition to the presence of other risk factors.

Keywords:

Full term, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Neonates, Premature, Risk factors.

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