Necrotizing enterocolitis in low birth weight infants in China: Mortality risk factors expressed by birth weight categories

Background We retrospectively investigated incidence, morbidity, and mortality of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in China, with special emphasis on determining the predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis associated mortality. Methods We identified neonates as having necrotizing enterocolitis if they met the accepted diagnostic criterion. Data pertaining to antenatal period, labor and birth, and the postnatal course of illness were collected. Multivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors. Results There were 1167 cases of necrotizing enterocolitis identified from the 95 participating NICUs in mainland China in 2011, with the incidence of 2.50% and 4.53% in LBW (birth weight P  = 0.003) and stage 3 NEC (OR: 8.09, 95% CI 2.80–23.3, P P P Conclusions Necrotizing enterocolitis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in prematurely born neonates in Chinese neonatal units. Awareness of the associated risk factors and appropriate interventions may improve the outcome of necrotizing enterocolitis in different birth weight subgroup.