Impact of concomitant necrotizing enterocolitis on mortality in very low birth weight infants with intraventricular hemorrhage

J Perinatol. 2023 Jan;43(1):91-96. doi: 10.1038/s41372-022-01434-1. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

Study design: Data were collected on VLBW infants born 2014-2018 at Vermont Oxford Network (VON) centers. NEC and IVH were categorized by severity. Adjusted risk ratios (ARR) for in-hospital mortality were calculated.

Results: This study included 187 187 VLBW infants. Both medical and surgical NEC increased mortality risk compared to those without NEC. Stratification by IVH severity modified this effect (no IVH: ARR 3.04 (95%CI 2.74-3.38) for medical NEC and 4.17 (3.84-4.52) for surgical NEC; mild IVH: ARR 2.14 (1.88-2.44) for medical NEC and 2.49 (2.24-2.78) for surgical NEC; severe IVH: ARR 1.14 (1.03-1.26) for medical NEC and 1.10 (1.02-1.18) for surgical NEC).

Conclusion: The relative impact of NEC on mortality decreased as IVH severity increased. Given the frequent coexistence of NEC and IVH, these data inform multidisciplinary management of these complex patients.

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage* / complications
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage* / mortality
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing* / complications
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing* / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases* / mortality
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*