Is there an association between necrotizing enterocolitis in premature neonates and functional gastrointestinal disorders later in childhood?

Background: Stressful events during infancy may predispose to the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in childhood.

Aims: To evaluate the association of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) with childhood FGIDs.

Methods: We conducted a study, comparing 29 children of eight to ten years with a history of NEC with 58 children with no history of NEC. Subjects were assessed for FGIDs, based on Rome-III criteria.

Results: Among 29 subjects with NEC, 17 had surgical and 12 conservative NEC. Subjects with surgically, or conservatively managed NEC developed FGIDs at a significantly higher proportion, as compared to children with no history of NEC, later in childhood (41%, 33%, and 13% respectively, p = 0.033). Functional constipation was the most frequently identified disorder (35%, 33%, and 7% respectively). A significant association was detected between FGIDs and the history of perinatal stress (p = 0.049), NEC (p = 0.011), and the surgical management of NEC (p = 0.015).

Conclusions: Our study suggests that there is a potential association between NEC and FGIDs later in childhood with functional constipation being the most frequently identified disorder.