Analysis of population characteristics of infants affected by necrotising enterocolitis in a tertiary centre in the last 12 years

Abstract Background Necrotising enterocolitis is the most lethal gastrointestinal emergency in the neonatal period. Incidence and mortality have remained stable in recent years despite advances in neonatal intensive care. The aim of this study is to show the general characteristics of patients diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis at Teresa Herrera's Hospital (La Coruna, Spain) in the last 12 years. Material and methods This study makes a retrospective and prospective descriptive analysis, evaluating the medical records and collecting radiological demographic variables, gestational data, perinatal history, clinical, analytical and perinatal therapeutic management and events in patients diagnosed with and treated for necrotising enterocolitis between 2003 and 2015. Results A total of 124 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The mean gestational age of our patients was 33 weeks and remained stable compared with other studies. The average weight of our patients was 1873 g. In our series of cases there was a progressive and significant increase in maternal age and the rate of artificial pregnancies and multiple births. In our series 38.7% of our patients required surgical treatment and the fatality rate was 11.4%. Discussion Despite advances in pre- and perinatal care necrotising enterocolitis represents the leading cause of premature mortality. Incidence has remained unchanged in recent decades. More studies are required to identify both, risk and protective factors to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this entity.