Berkhout DJC, et al. - Experts identified independent risk factors contributing to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a large multicenter cohort. Findings suggested an association of formula feeding and prolonged (duration of) parenteral feeding with an increased risk of NEC. There was an inverse correlation of the initiation of treatment with antibiotics within 24 h after birth with NEC, contrary to expectations.

Methods

• Researchers performed this prospective cohort study in 9 neonatal intensive care units.
• They included the infants born at a gestational age ≤30 weeks.
• They collected the demographic and clinical data daily until day 28 postnatally.
• Using univariate and multivariable analyses in a 1: 5 matched case-control cohort, factors predictive of the development of NEC were identified .

Results

• As per data, in total, 843 infants (56 NEC cases) were included in this study.
• Results demonstrated that in the case-control cohort, an association of sepsis prior to the onset of NEC and formula feeding with an increased risk of developing NEC was seen on univariate analysis, whereas the administration of antibiotics directly postpartum was inversely associated with NEC.
• Findings suggested that enteral feeding type and the number of days parenterally fed remained statistically significantly associated with NEC in a multivariable logistic regression model, whereas a correlation of the administration of antibiotics directly after birth with a lower risk of developing NEC was seen.