ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2022
Outcomes for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in babies born at the threshold of viability: a case-control study.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Optimal enteral feeding after surgery for necrotising enterocolitis: a systematic review.Pediatric surgery international · 2026Pooled it
- Factors affecting neurodevelopmental outcome following surgical necrotising enterocolitis: a systematic review.Pediatric surgery international · 2024Pooled it
- Necrotizing enterocolitis: perspectives from a population-based study.Pediatric research · 2025Article
- Editorial: Biomarkers of gut blood flow, oxygenation, inflammation and NEC in neonates.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe threshold for active management of babies born prematurely in the UK is currently 22 weeks. The optimal management strategy for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in babies born at or near this threshold remains unclear.
aimTo review our institutional experience of babies born <24 weeks diagnosed with NEC, identify risk factors for NEC, and compare outcomes with a control cohort.
methodsAll infants born <24 weeks gestation January 2015-December 2021 were identified. Babies diagnosed with NEC were defined as cases and babies with no NEC diagnosis as controls. Patient demographics, clinical features, complications and outcomes were extracted from the medical record and compared between cases and controls.
resultsOf 56 babies, 31 (55.3%) were treated for NEC. There was no difference in NEC-specific risk factors between cases and controls. 17 babies (30.4%) underwent surgery, of these, 11/17 (64.7%) presented with a C reactive protein rise and 11/17 (64.7%) a fall in platelet count. Pneumatosis intestinalis (3/17 (17.7%)) or pneumoperitoneum (3/17 (17.7%)) were present in only a minority of cases. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated intestinal perforation in 8/8 cases. The surgical complication rate was 5/17 (29.4%). There was no difference in the incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and survival to discharge between the groups.
conclusionsThe diagnosis of NEC in infants born <24 weeks gestation is challenging with inconsistent clinical and radiological features. Ultrasound scanning is a useful imaging modality. Mortality was comparable regardless of a diagnosis of NEC. Low gestational age is not a contraindication to surgical intervention in NEC.
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