NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME IN VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS WITH NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS REQUIRING SURGERY

Objective: To assess the effect of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on neurodevelopmental outcome. Methodology: Neurodevelopmental outcome of 20 very low birthweight (VLBW) infants who developed NEC requiring su rgery was compared with 40 matched infants controlled for gestation, b irthweight, and year of admission. Twenty-nine VLBW infants who develo ped NEC and did not require surgery were also compared. Results: Infan ts with NEC needing surgery were of 26 +/- 2 weeks gestation and weigh ed 892 +/- 192 at birth. Infants with NEC managed medically were of hi gher gestation (27 +/- 2 weeks) but similar birthweights. More infants with NEG requiring surgery required inotropic support. At follow up, NEC surgery infants had a significantly higher incidence of developmen tal morbidity, 11 of 20 compared with 11 of 40 matched controls (Fishe r's exact test P = 0.0493), and six of 29 infants with NEC managed med ically (Fisher's exact test P = 0.0174). Conclusions: These findings s tress the importance for close follow up for neurodevelopmental sequel ae in VLBW infants who have had NEC requiring surgery.