Severe neurodevelopmental disability and healthcare needs among survivors of medical and surgical necrotizing enterocolitis: A prospective cohort study

A graded neonatal mouse model of necrotizing enterocolitis demonstrates that mild enterocolitis is sufficient to activate microglia and increase cerebral cytokine expression

Background

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory gastrointestinal process that afflicts approximately 10% of preterm infants born in the United States each year, with a mortality rate of 30%. NEC severity is graded using Bell's classification system, from stage I mild NEC to stage III severe NEC. Over half of NEC survivors present with neurodevelopmental impairment during adolescence, a long-term complication that is poorly understood but can occur even after mild NEC. Although multiple animal models exist, none allow the experimenter to control nor represent the gradient of symptom severities seen in NEC patients. We bridge this knowledge gap by developing a graded murine model of NEC and studying its relationship with neuroinflammation across a range of NEC severities.

Methods

Postnatal day 3 (P3) C57BL/6 mice were fed a formula containing different concentrations (0% control, 0.25%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). P3 mice were fed every 3 hours for 72-hours. We collected data on weight gain and behavior (activity, response, body color) during feeding. At the end of the experiment, we collected tissues (intestine, liver, plasma, brain) for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and cytokine and chemokine analysis.

Results

Throughout NEC induction, mice fed higher concentrations of DSS died sooner, lost weight faster, and became sick or lethargic earlier. Intestinal characteristics (dilation, color, friability) were worse in mice fed with higher DSS concentrations. Histology revealed small intestinal disarray among mice fed all DSS concentrations, while higher DSS concentrations resulted in reduced small intestinal cellular proliferation and increased hepatic and systemic inflammation. In the brain, IL-2, G-CSF, and CXCL1 concentrations increased with higher DSS concentrations. Although the number of neurons and microglia in the CA1 hippocampal region did not differ, microglial branching was significantly reduced in DSS-fed mice.

Conclusion

We characterize a novel graded model of NEC that recapitulates the full range of NEC severities. We show that mild NEC is sufficient to initiate neuroinflammation and microglia activation. This model will facilitate studies on the neurodevelopmental effects of NEC.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm with necrotizing enterocolitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

While neonatal necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with high mortality rates in newborns, survivors can face long-term sequelae. However, the relationship between NEC and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in preterm infants remains unclear. To explore the relationship between neonatal NEC and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to February 2024 for relevant studies. Studies included were cohort or case-control studies reporting neurodevelopmental outcomes of NEC in preterm infants. Two independent investigators extracted data regarding brain damage and neurodevelopmental outcomes in these infants at a corrected age exceeding 12 months. Odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using a random effects model. We included 15 cohort studies and 18 case-control studies, encompassing 60,346 infants. Meta-analysis of unadjusted and adjusted ORs demonstrated a significant association between NEC and increased odds of NDI (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.9-2.44; aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.46-2.46). Regarding brain injury, pooled crude ORs indicated an association of NEC with severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06-1.92) and periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.76-3.69). When compared with conservatively treated NEC, surgical NEC potentially carries a higher risk of NDI (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.09-2.93) and severe IVH (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.20-2.06). However, the risk of PVL did not show a significant difference (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.47-5.40).

CONCLUSIONS

 Our meta-analysis provides evidence suggesting an association between NEC and NDI. Additionally, the severity of intestinal lesions appears to correlate with a higher risk of NDI. Further high-quality studies with comprehensive adjustments for potential confounding factors are required to definitively establish whether the association with NDI is causal.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• NEC is a serious intestinal disease in the neonatal period with a high mortality rate, and surviving children may have digestive system sequelae. • Compared with non-NEC preterm infants, the reported incidences of brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders in NEC preterm infants are not the same.

WHAT IS NEW

• The risk of neonatal brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm infants with NEC is higher than that in non-NEC infants, and the risk of NDI in surgical NEC infants is higher than that in the conservative treatment group. • NEC may increase the risk of motor, cognitive, language development delays, and attention deficits in children.

Quality of Life in Long-Term Survivors of Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the quality of life (QoL) in patients who have recovered from surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary centre and patients who have received surgery for NEC between 2000 and 2014 were invited to participate. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic (PedsQL™) Core Scale Version 4.0 was used as the assessment tool. Values were reported as median (interquartile rage) and compared with age-matched controls.

RESULTS

During the study period, 90 patients were eligible for the study and 29 patients have completed the survey. There was no gender difference and the median age was 10 years (9-13 years). Nine patients have suffered from short bowel syndrome (SBS) as a result of the surgery. For the QoL assessment, 17 participants have completed both parent proxy and child-rated survey; 11 completed the parent-rated survey and 1 completed child-rated survey only. The scores for parent-rated survey were - overall: 86.4 (70.7-92.7); physical: 95.3 (83.6-100) and psychosocial: 82.5 (66.3-90.4). The scores for child-rated survey were - overall: 82.1 (73.4-96.2); physical: 96.9 (90.6-99.2) and psychosocial: 81.7 (64.2-95.8). Regarding the impact of previous SBS on the QoL, there were no significant difference in the overall score for both parent proxy and child-rated survey (SBS-ve vs + ve) (parent-rated: 87.5 vs 85.3, p = 0.849; child-rated: 81.0 vs 88.0, p = 0.503). There were also no differences in physical and psychosocial assessments (parent-rated: [physical] 95.3 vs 95.3, p = 0.267; [psychosocial] 84.2 vs 80.0, p = 0.274; child-rated: [physical] 95.3 vs 96.9, p = 0.395; [psychosocial] 79.2 vs 87.5, p = 0.611).

CONCLUSION

The QoL in long-term survivors of surgical NEC without major medical illnesses is comparable to normal population. However, they may have a lower psychosocial well-being that should be addressed. Previous history of SBS does not have a significant impact on the future QoL.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Comparing Healthcare Needs in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants With NEC and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) affect 6-8% of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. SIP has lower mortality than NEC, but with similar short-term morbidity in length of stay, growth failure, and supplemental oxygen requirements. Comparative long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes have not been clarified.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected from 59 North American neonatal units, regarding ELBW infants (401-1000 g or 22-27 weeks gestational age) born between 2011 and 2018 and evaluated again at 16-26 months corrected age. Outcomes were collected from infants with laparotomy-confirmed NEC, laparotomy-confirmed SIP, and those without NEC or SIP. The primary outcome was severe neurodevelopmental disability. Secondary outcomes were weight <10th percentile, medical readmission, post-discharge surgery and medical support at home. Adjusted risk ratios (ARR) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 13,673 ELBW infants, 6391 (47%) were followed including 93 of 232 (40%) with NEC and 100 of 235 (42%) with SIP. There were no statistically significant differences in adjusted risk of any outcomes when directly comparing NEC to SIP (ARR 2.35; 95% CI 0.89, 6.26). However, infants with NEC had greater risk of severe neurodevelopmental disability (ARR 1.43; 1.09-1.86), rehospitalization (ARR 1.46; 1.17-1.82), and post-discharge surgery (ARR 1.82; 1.48-2.23) compared to infants without NEC or SIP. Infants with SIP only had greater risk of post-discharge surgery (ARR 1.64; 1.34-2.00) compared to infants without NEC or SIP.

CONCLUSIONS

ELBW infants with NEC had significantly increased risk of severe neurodevelopmental disability and post-discharge healthcare needs, consistent with prior literature. We now know infants with SIP also have increased healthcare needs.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Factors affecting neurodevelopmental outcome following surgical necrotising enterocolitis: a systematic review

Surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis (sNEC) is associated with significantly worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than that seen in premature infants without NEC. We aim to review the association between factors involved in the surgical treatment of NEC and subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes to identify potential areas for improvement. The PubMed and Embase databases were interrogated for articles reporting neurodevelopmental outcomes in babies treated surgically for NEC using key terms including: "Infant", "Necrotising enterocolitis", "Surgical", "Neurodevelopmental" and "Outcomes". The search strategy yielded 1170 articles and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria 22 studies remained and formed the review. A diverse range of neurodevelopmental outcomes were reported. Extreme prematurity and lower birth weight were associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The use of peritoneal drains and enterostomies were associated with worse outcomes. Modifications to surgical strategies in NEC may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes but the effect of confounding factors remains unclear. Further large scale studies are required to define the optimum strategies for treating NEC surgically and to develop a core outcome set for research into NEC.

Association between neurodevelopmental outcomes and concomitant presence of NEC and IVH in extremely low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the association between necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and neurodevelopmental disability (NDI) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

STUDY DESIGN

ELBW survivors born 2011-2017 and evaluated at 16-26 months corrected age in the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) ELBW Follow-Up Project were included. Logistic regression determined the adjusted relative risk (aRR) of severe NDI in medical or surgical NEC compared to no NEC, stratified by severity of IVH.

RESULTS

Follow-up evaluation occurred in 5870 ELBW survivors. Compared to no NEC, medical NEC had no impact on NDI, regardless of IVH status. Surgical NEC increased risk of NDI in patients with no IVH (aRR 1.69; 95% CI 1.36-2.09), mild IVH (aRR 1.36;0.97-1.92), and severe IVH (aRR 1.35;1.13-1.60).

CONCLUSIONS

ELBW infants with surgical NEC carry increased risk of neurodevelopmental disability within each IVH severity stratum. These data describe the additive insult of surgical NEC and IVH on neurodevelopment, informing prognostic discussions and highlighting the need for preventative interventions.

The incidence and modifiable risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the incidence and modifiable risk factors for Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants born at ≤32 weeks of gestation weighing <1500 grams, at a private tertiary care hospital in Kenya.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Preterm infants born at ≤ 32 weeks' gestation and weighing <1500 grams admitted to NICU between 2009 and 2019, were recruited into the study. The primary outcome was NEC Bell Stage IIa-IIIb based on Modified Bell's criteria. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were evaluated. The association between variables of interest and NEC was determined using logistic regression analysis and the incidence of NEC for the study period was calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 261 charts of infants born at ≤ 32 weeks' gestation, weighing <1500 were reviewed, and 200 charts met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen preterm infants developed the primary outcome of interest: NEC Stage ≥2a within the first 30 days of admission. The overall incidence of NEC for the study period was 7.5%. Three risk factors were identified as significantly associated with NEC on multivariate logistic regression analysis: antenatal exposure to steroids (OR = 0.056 CI = 0.003-0.964 p = 0.047), cumulative duration of exposure to invasive mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.172 CI = 1.242-3.799 p = 0.007) and cumulative duration of exposure to umbilical vein catheter (OR = 1.344 CI = 1.08-1.672 p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence for the study period of NEC Stage ≥ II a was 7.5%. Exposure to antenatal steroids, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration of umbilical vein catheterization were three independent modifiable risk factors for NEC Stage II a-Stage III b.

Human milk oligosaccharides reduce necrotizing enterocolitis-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in mice

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. One of the most devastating complications of NEC is the development of NEC-induced brain injury, which manifests as impaired cognition that persists beyond infancy and which represents a proinflammatory activation of the gut-brain axis. Given that oral administration of the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and 6'-sialyslactose (6'-SL) significantly reduced intestinal inflammation in mice, we hypothesized that oral administration of these HMOs would reduce NEC-induced brain injury and sought to determine the mechanisms involved. We now show that the administration of either 2'-FL or 6'-SL significantly attenuated NEC-induced brain injury, reversed myelin loss in the corpus callosum and midbrain of newborn mice, and prevented the impaired cognition observed in mice with NEC-induced brain injury. In seeking to define the mechanisms involved, 2'-FL or 6'-SL administration resulted in a restoration of the blood-brain barrier in newborn mice and also had a direct anti-inflammatory effect on the brain as revealed through the study of brain organoids. Metabolites of 2'-FL were detected in the infant mouse brain by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), whereas intact 2'-FL was not. Strikingly, the beneficial effects of 2'-FL or 6'-SL against NEC-induced brain injury required the release of the neurotrophic factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as mice lacking BDNF were not protected by these HMOs from the development of NEC-induced brain injury. Taken in aggregate, these findings reveal that the HMOs 2'-FL and 6'-SL interrupt the gut-brain inflammatory axis and reduce the risk of NEC-induced brain injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study reveals that the administration of human milk oligosaccharides, which are present in human breast milk, can interfere with the proinflammatory gut-brain axis and prevent neuroinflammation in the setting of necrotizing enterocolitis, a major intestinal disorder seen in premature infants.

Association of Hospital Adoption of Probiotics With Outcomes Among Neonates With Very Low Birth Weight

Importance

For neonates with very low birth weight (VLBW), randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicate that probiotic treatment decreases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), with smaller decreases in the risk of sepsis and death. There is little evidence on the rate of probiotic adoption in US neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and whether the benefits seen in trials have materialized in practice.

Objective

To estimate changes in probiotic use among neonates with VLBW and to test whether neonates with VLBW treated at NICUs adopting routine probiotic use experience better outcomes compared with neonates treated at nonadopting NICUs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used Vermont Oxford Network data on neonates with VLBW in US NICUs from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from January 2022 through February 2023.

Exposure

Probiotics adoption vs nonadoption. Adopting NICUs were defined as those that currently or previously treated at least 20% of neonates with VLBW with probiotics.

Main Outcomes

The primary outcomes were rates of NEC, in-hospital mortality, and sepsis, defined as bacterial or fungal infection occurring after day 3 from birth. A difference-in-differences analysis compared changes in VLBW infant outcomes between adopting and nonadopting NICUs before and after hospital-level adoption of probiotics. Additional analyses used the proportion of neonates treated with probiotics in each neonate's birth NICU and year.

Results

The analysis included 307 905 neonates with VLBW (mean [SD] gestational age, 28.4 [2.9] weeks; 50.0% male) at 807 US hospitals. The rate of probiotic treatment of neonates with VLBW rose from 1572 of 38 296 neonates (4.1%) in 2012 to 4788 of 37 910 (12.6%) in 2019. Only 123 of 745 NICUs (16.5%) adopted probiotics by 2019, with 4591 of 6017 neonates with VLBW (76.3%) receiving probiotics in 2019 at adopting NICUs. Incidence of NEC declined by 18% at adopting NICUs (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70-0.95; P = .10) compared with nonadopting NICUs. Probiotic adoption was not associated with a significant reduction in sepsis (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.98-1.25; P = .09) or mortality (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.80-1.08; P = .33).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this cohort study, adoption of routine use of probiotics increased slowly in US NICUs and was associated with lower NEC risk but not with sepsis or mortality among neonates with VLBW. The findings for probiotic adoption and NEC, sepsis, and mortality were smaller than would have been predicted by the totality of RCT evidence but are consistent with a meta-analysis restricted to studies at low risk of bias.

Modifiable Risk Factors and Preventative Strategies for Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity

Severe ROP is characterized by the development of retinal fibrovascular proliferation that may progress to retinal detachment. The purpose of this report is to review five of the most common and well-studied perinatal and neonatal modifiable risk factors for the development of severe ROP. Hyperoxemia, hypoxia, and associated prolonged respiratory support are linked to the development of severe ROP. While there is a well-established association between clinical maternal chorioamnionitis and severe ROP, there is greater variability between histologic chorioamnionitis and severe ROP. Neonatal sepsis, including both bacterial and fungal subtypes, are independent predictors of severe ROP in preterm infants. Although there is limited evidence related to platelet transfusions, the risk of severe ROP increases with the number and volume of red blood cell transfusions. Poor postnatal weight gain within the first six weeks of life is also strongly tied to the development of severe ROP. We also discuss preventative strategies that may reduce the risk of severe ROP. Limited evidence-based studies exist regarding the protective effects of caffeine, human milk, and vitamins A and E.

Does protocol miconazole administration improve mortality and morbidity on surgical necrotizing enterocolitis?

PURPOSE

Our previous clinical pilot study reported that miconazole (MCZ) prevented morbidity from surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The present study re-investigated this effect in a long-term cohort over 20 years.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study from April 1998 to March 2020. A total of 1169 extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit, including 45 with NEC (3.8%), underwent surgery. Since 2002, protocol MCZ administration for 3 weeks has been applied for neonates born before 26 weeks' gestation or weighing under 1000 g. We compared the background characteristics and clinical outcomes between patients with and without MCZ administration.

RESULTS

The morbidity rate decreased after applying the MCZ protocol, but no improvement in mortality was seen. A propensity score-matched analysis indicated that treated patients by MCZ showed a delay in developing surgical NEC by 12 days. The MCZ protocol also helped increase body weight at surgery. Prophylactic MCZ administration did not improve the neurological development of the language-social and postural-motor domains in the surgical NEC patients. But cognitive-adaptive domain caught up by a chronological age of 3 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Revising the protocol to extend the dosing period may improve the outcomes of surgical NEC after the onset.

Long-term outcomes and life-impacts of necrotizing enterocolitis: A survey of survivors and parents

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease that primarily affects premature infants. Necrotizing enterocolitis is associated with adverse two-year outcomes, yet limited research has evaluated the impact of NEC on long-term complications and quality of life in children older than two years. We conducted a survey to characterize the long-term impact of NEC on physical and mental health, social experiences, and quality of life as self-reported by adult NEC survivors and parents of children who survived NEC. To our knowledge, this is the first study that describes the lived experience of NEC survivors and parents of children affected by NEC to understand their experience years after the original diagnosis. Our survey results describe that NEC survivors and parents of children affected by NEC experience long-term complications that impact their physical and mental health, social experiences, and quality of life.

Role of gut-brain axis in neurodevelopmental impairment of necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common gastrointestinal disease of preterm infants with high morbidity and mortality. In survivors of NEC, one of the leading causes of long-term morbidity is the development of severe neurocognitive injury. The exact pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental delay in NEC remains unknown, but microbiota is considered to have dramatic effects on the development and function of the host brain via the gut-brain axis. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of microbiota of NEC, the impaired neurological outcomes, and the role of the complex interplay between the intestinal microbiota and brain to influence neurodevelopment in NEC. The increasing knowledge of microbial-host interactions has the potential to generate novel therapies for manipulating brain development in the future.

Preventing severe necrotizing enterocolitis: Propensity score analysis of interventions associated with surgical NEC or NEC-associated death

PURPOSE

To determine what modifiable interventions used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are associated with severe necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) requiring surgical intervention.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients treated for NEC at a tertiary hospital from 1991 to 2016 was performed. Patient characteristics were used to calculate propensity scores for likelihood of exposure to seven interventions: enteral feeds, use of glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antacids, antibiotics, or umbilical arterial (UAC) and venous catheters (UVC). Conditional logistic regression was used to compare the odds of having surgical NEC if exposed to each treatment.

RESULTS

We included 195 NEC patients: 69 severe NEC managed with surgery and 126 non-severe NEC managed medically. After propensity score matching based on birth characteristics, exposure to glucocorticoids (OR 5.21, 95%CI: 1.62, 16.70), NSAIDs (OR 4.87, 95%CI: 1.67, 14.17), UVC (OR 2.53 (95%CI: 1.19, 5.73), and UAC (OR 4.91, 95%CI: 2.12, 11.37) were associated with surgical NEC in separate conditional logistic regression analyses. Including these treatments in a second round of propensity matching and conditional logistic regression revealed that glucocorticoids (OR 2.99, 95%CI: 1.01, 8.88), NSAIDs (OR 3.97, 95%CI: 1.41, 11.19), UVC (OR 3.07, 95%CI: 1.46, 6.48), and UAC (OR 5.10, 95%CI: 2.10, 12.36) were still associated with surgical NEC.

CONCLUSION

After controlling for birth confounders and common NICU supportive interventions, use of glucocorticoids, NSAIDs and umbilical catheters independently increased the odds of developing severe NEC requiring surgical intervention.

LEVEL-OF-EVIDENCE RATING

Case-control, Level III evidence.

Impact of concomitant necrotizing enterocolitis on mortality in very low birth weight infants with intraventricular hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

STUDY DESIGN

Data were collected on VLBW infants born 2014-2018 at Vermont Oxford Network (VON) centers. NEC and IVH were categorized by severity. Adjusted risk ratios (ARR) for in-hospital mortality were calculated.

RESULTS

This study included 187 187 VLBW infants. Both medical and surgical NEC increased mortality risk compared to those without NEC. Stratification by IVH severity modified this effect (no IVH: ARR 3.04 (95%CI 2.74-3.38) for medical NEC and 4.17 (3.84-4.52) for surgical NEC; mild IVH: ARR 2.14 (1.88-2.44) for medical NEC and 2.49 (2.24-2.78) for surgical NEC; severe IVH: ARR 1.14 (1.03-1.26) for medical NEC and 1.10 (1.02-1.18) for surgical NEC).

CONCLUSION

The relative impact of NEC on mortality decreased as IVH severity increased. Given the frequent coexistence of NEC and IVH, these data inform multidisciplinary management of these complex patients.

Survey of UK clinicians' approaches to decision making in neonatal intestinal failure

Background

Outcomes for neonatal intestinal failure (IF) have improved significantly over the past two decades, however, there is no consensus for decision making among UK paediatric subspecialists.

Objectives

The aim was to describe clinician's attitudes to decision making in neonatal IF and examine variation between subspecialties.

Methods

Neonatologists, paediatric surgeons and gastroenterologists were surveyed electronically. They were asked if they would recommend active or palliative care or allow the parents to decide in several scenarios; or if they considered treatment morally obligatory or impermissible.

Results

Of 147 respondents, 81% of gastroenterologists would recommend active care (34.6% regardless of parental decision) for a term infant with total gut Hirschsprung's compared with 46% and 33% of surgeons and neonatologists. No gastroenterologist would recommend palliation while 23% of both neonatologists and surgeons would. Similarly, 77% of surgeons and 73% of neonatologists would recommend palliation for a 28-week infant with IF and bilateral parenchymal haemorrhages compared with 27% of gastroenterologists.Prognostic estimates also varied. A term baby with IF was estimated to have a survival of >80% at 5 years by 58% of gastroenterologists compared with 11.5% and 2.7% of surgeons and neonatologists. Only 11.5% of surgeons and 2.6% of neonatologist believed a 26-week preterm with IF would have a 5-year survival >60% compared with 59% of gastroenterologists.

Conclusion

There is substantial variation in views about outcomes and management choices both within and between specialties; with gastroenterologists being consistently more positive. This is likely to lead to unjustified variation in counselling and parental choices.

Interpretable prediction of necrotizing enterocolitis from machine learning analysis of premature infant stool microbiota

Background

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common, potentially catastrophic intestinal disease among very low birthweight premature infants. Affecting up to 15% of neonates born weighing less than 1500 g, NEC causes sudden-onset, progressive intestinal inflammation and necrosis, which can lead to significant bowel loss, multi-organ injury, or death. No unifying cause of NEC has been identified, nor is there any reliable biomarker that indicates an individual patient’s risk of the disease. Without a way to predict NEC in advance, the current medical strategy involves close clinical monitoring in an effort to treat babies with NEC as quickly as possible before irrecoverable intestinal damage occurs. In this report, we describe a novel machine learning application for generating dynamic, individualized NEC risk scores based on intestinal microbiota data, which can be determined from sequencing bacterial DNA from otherwise discarded infant stool. A central insight that differentiates our work from past efforts was the recognition that disease prediction from stool microbiota represents a specific subtype of machine learning problem known as multiple instance learning (MIL).

Results

We used a neural network-based MIL architecture, which we tested on independent datasets from two cohorts encompassing 3595 stool samples from 261 at-risk infants. Our report also introduces a new concept called the “growing bag” analysis, which applies MIL over time, allowing incorporation of past data into each new risk calculation. This approach allowed early, accurate NEC prediction, with a mean sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 90%. True-positive NEC predictions occurred an average of 8 days before disease onset. We also demonstrate that an attention-gated mechanism incorporated into our MIL algorithm permits interpretation of NEC risk, identifying several bacterial taxa that past work has associated with NEC, and potentially pointing the way toward new hypotheses about NEC pathogenesis. Our system is flexible, accepting microbiota data generated from targeted 16S or “shotgun” whole-genome DNA sequencing. It performs well in the setting of common, potentially confounding preterm neonatal clinical events such as perinatal cardiopulmonary depression, antibiotic administration, feeding disruptions, or transitions between breast feeding and formula.

Conclusions

We have developed and validated a robust MIL-based system for NEC prediction from harmlessly collected premature infant stool. While this system was developed for NEC prediction, our MIL approach may also be applicable to other diseases characterized by changes in the human microbiota.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12859-022-04618-w.

Cognitive Outcomes in Children With Conditions Affecting the Small Intestine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess cognitive outcomes in children with intestinal failure (IF) and children at high risk of IF with conditions affecting the small intestine requiring parenteral nutrition.

METHODS

EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to October 2020. Studies were included constituting original data on developmental quotient (DQ), intelligence quotient (IQ) and/or severe developmental delay/disability (SDD) rates assessed with standardized tests. We used appropriate standardized tools to extract data and assess study quality. We performed random effects meta-analyses to estimate pooled means of DQ/IQ and pooled SDD rates (general population mean for DQ/IQ: 100, for percentage with SDD: 1.8%) for 4 groups: IF, surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), abdominal wall defects (AWD), and midgut malformations (MM). Associations of patient characteristics with DQ/IQ were evaluated with meta-regressions.

RESULTS

Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean DQ/IQ for IF, NEC, AWD, and MM were 86.8, 83.3, 96.6, and 99.5, respectively. The pooled SDD rates for IF, NEC, AWD and MM were 28.6%, 32.8%, 8.5%, and 3.7%, respectively. Meta-regressions indicated that lower gestational age, longer hospital stay, and higher number of surgeries but not parenteral nutrition duration, were associated with lower DQ/IQ.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse developmental outcomes are common in children with IF and NEC, and to a much lesser extent in children with AWD and MM. It is important to monitor cognitive development in children with conditions affecting the small intestine and to explore avenues for prevention and remediation.

Neonatal Outcome and Treatment Perspectives of Preterm Infants at the Border of Viability

Decision-making at the border of viability remains challenging for the expectant parents and the medical team. The preterm infant is dependent on others making the decision that will impact them for a lifetime in hopefully their best interest. Besides survival and survival without neurodevelopmental impairment, other relevant outcome measures, such as the quality of life of former preterm infants and the impact on family life, need to be integrated into prenatal counselling. Recommendations and national guidelines continue to rely on arbitrarily set gestational age limits at which treatment is not recommended, can be considered and it is recommended. These guidelines neglect other individual prognostic outcome factors like antenatal steroids, birth weight and gender. Besides individual factors, centre-specific factors like perinatal treatment intensity and the attitude of healthcare professionals significantly determine the futures of these infants at the border of viability. A more comprehensive approach regarding treatment recommendations and relevant outcome measures is necessary.

Prediction of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants by superior mesenteric artery ultrasound of postnatal day 1: A nested prospective study

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal complication that occurs mainly in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI). The study's aim was to investigate the possibility of early prediction of NEC on postnatal day 1 based on superior mesenteric artery (SMA) doppler ultrasonograpy.

METHODS

A prospective, observational, nested case control study (ChiCTR1900026197) was conducted to enroll VLBWIs (birth weight <1,500 grams) between October 2019 and September 2021. Doppler ultrasound measurement was done during the first 12 h of life and before first feeding. Infants developing NEC (stage II or III) subsequently were included in NEC group and infants spare of NEC were included in control group.

RESULTS

370 VLBWIs were enrolled (30 NEC cases). Among the ultrasound parameters, S/D was significantly higher in the NEC group (OR: 2.081, 95% CI: 1.411-3.069, P = 0.000). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) following the Logistic regression was 0.704 (95% CI: 0.566-0.842, P = 0.001). The sensitivity of S/D for predicting NEC was 52.2% and the specificity was 92.7%. The critical value of S/D was 6.944 and Youden index was 0.449. Preplanned subgroup analysis confirmed that NEC infants of different stages were characterized by different SMA bloodstream. Small for gestational age (SGA) might be a confounding factor affecting intestinal bloodflow. And infants with delayed initiation or slow advancement of feeding exhibited characteristic intestinal perfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

In VLBWI, early SMA ultrasound shows the potential to predict NEC. It is reasonable to speculate that SMA bloodstream is related to intestinal structural and functional integrity.

Surgical necrotizing enterocolitis: Association between surgical indication, timing, and outcomes

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Despite improvements in neonatal care the outcomes of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) remain unchanged over previous decades. The study aims to explore whether different indications for surgical intervention in NEC are associated with timing of surgery and outcomes.

METHODS

Population-based, prospective, observational study of all 27 paediatric surgical centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland identified using the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System from 1st February 2013 to 28th February 2014. Infants were included if they had NEC and underwent first surgical intervention within 7 days of diagnosis. Primary outcomes were death, parenteral nutrition requirement or a composite outcome of death or PN requirement at 28 days post surgery.

RESULTS

There were 133 infants meeting inclusion criteria. Indications for surgery were bowel perforation (n = 67), suspected necrotic bowel without bowel perforation and not deemed to have failed medical management (n = 20), those who had failed medical management (n = 42) and a palpable mass without any other indication (n = 4). Failed medical treatment as an indication for surgery was associated with an increased time to surgery of 30.28 (95% CI 13.46-47.10) hours from those whose indication was perforation and was also the strongest predictor of PN requirement or death at 28 days post-surgery (OR 4.54 [1.59-13.0]).

CONCLUSIONS

Failed medical treatment as an indication for surgery for NEC is associated with poor outcome. Earlier intervention in these infants represents a potential opportunity to improve outcomes in this population.

Association of Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and its Timing with Retinopathy of Prematurity

OBJECTIVE

 The study aimed to determine the association of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its timing, with the development and timing of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

STUDY DESIGN

 This was a secondary data analysis of 7,483 preterm infants from the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity Study. Associations between infants with surgical NEC, early-onset surgical NEC (8-28 days), and late-onset surgical NEC (over 28 days) with ROP were evaluated by using multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for birth weight, gestational age, small for gestational age status, chronic lung disease, intraventricular hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, patent ductus arteriosus, and periventricular leukomalacia.

RESULTS

 Three hundred fifty-six (4.8%) infants had surgical NEC, with 56% having early surgical NEC. Infants with surgical NEC had a higher risk of any ROP and severe ROP (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.9-3.7) and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.9-3.3), respectively; p < 0.001) compared with infants without surgical NEC. Infants with early surgical NEC were at the highest risk of developing ROP and severe ROP (adjusted OR: 3.1 [95% CI: 2.1-4.8], and 3.3 [95% CI: 2.3-4.7] respectively, p < 0.001). Infants with late surgical NEC were also at increased risk of developing ROP and severe ROP (adjusted OR: 2.1 [95% CI: 1.3-3.4], and 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3-2.8] respectively, p < 0.001) compared with infants without surgical NEC.

CONCLUSION

 Infants with surgical NEC, especially early surgical NEC, are at higher risk of ROP and severe ROP.

KEY POINTS

· Infants with surgical NEC are at higher risk of ROP and severe ROP than those without surgical NEC.. · Increased ROP risk is seen in infants with both early- or later onset surgical NEC.. · Early-onset surgical NEC is associated with a higher ROP risk compared with later onset surgical NEC..

Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonates: Has the Brain Taken a Hit 10 Years Later?

Background:

The neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is at risk of developing poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. There is a dearth of long-term follow-up studies in this field, with a majority of studies reporting a follow-up duration of 2 years. The aim of this study was to assess neurodevelopment of babies diagnosed with NEC more than a decade ago. This study was carried out in a tertiary hospital with neonatal surgery and intensive care units.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective review of notes and telephone interviews with parents of babies diagnosed with NEC between January 2007 and December 2008 was conducted. Evidence of motor, cognitive, and sensory impairment was recorded. Fisher’s exact, χ², and unpaired t-tests were used. P-values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results:

Overall mortality in this cohort was 31%. Eighteen patients were followed up to an average age of 11.2 years. Of the 18 patients, 11 (61%) had a neurological impairment. Of the 15 surgically managed patients, 10 (67%) had an impairment and, of the 3 medically managed patients, 1 (33%) had an impairment. Cognitive impairment was the most common (10/18, 56%), followed by motor (6/18, 33%). Ten of 18 (56%) had special education needs, 9 of 18 (50%) had learning difficulties, 6 of 18 (33%) had speaking difficulties, and 4 of 18 (22%) had cerebral palsy. Patients also had behavioral conditions (3/18, 17%), visual impairment (2/18, 11%), and seizures (2/18, 11%).

Conclusion:

In the field of NEC, there is a hidden neurological burden that neonatal surgeons bequeath to the community. Sixty-one percent of patients are neurologically impaired, affecting the quality of life and function in the long-term. There should be appropriate parent counseling at the point of diagnosis and regular development checks for children with NEC.

Discharge of Medically Complex Infants and Developmental Follow-up

At the time of discharge from the NICU, many infants have ongoing complex medical issues that will require coordinated, multispecialty follow-up. Discharge planning and transfer of care for infants with medical complexity require a multidisciplinary team effort that begins early during the NICU hospitalization. It is critical that the primary care physician is involved in this process because he or she will serve as the chief communicator and coordinator of care after discharge. Although some infants with medical complexity may be followed in specialized multidisciplinary NICU follow-up clinics, these are not universally available. The responsibility then falls to the primary care physician to coordinate with different subspecialties based on the infant's needs. Many infants with medical complexity are technology-dependent at the time of discharge and may require home oxygen, ventilators, monitors, or tube feeding. Prematurity, critical illness, and prolonged NICU hospitalization that lead to medical complexity also increase the risk of neurodevelopmental delay or impairment. As such, these infants will not only require routine developmental surveillance and screening by the primary care physician but also should be followed longitudinally by a neurodevelopmental specialist, either a developmental-behavioral pediatrician or a neonatologist with experience in neurodevelopmental assessment.

Portal venous gas resulting from umbilical vein catheterization in a very-low-birth-weight infant with no interruption in early feeding

Introduction

Portal venous gas (PVG) is common in necrotizing enterocolitis and occasionally occurs in neonates after umbilical vein catheterization (UVC). Therefore, determining the cause of PVG requires further clinical evaluation in these cases.

Case presentation

We report the case of a very‐low‐birth‐weight infant who underwent UVC after birth. PVG was an unexpected finding on ultrasound following catheterization. The UVC was immediately removed and replaced with a peripherally inserted central catheter. The infant’s physical examination was unremarkable. Bedside X‐ray revealed neither PVG nor pneumatosis intestinalis, which would indicate the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis. After full evaluation, breastfeeding was started on the same day. The infant did not develop feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, or other disorders.

Conclusion

PVG occasionally occurs in neonates who undergo UVC and is considered to be caused by exogenous gases. PVG is more easily detected with ultrasound than with X‐ray and does not affect early feeding in premature infants.

Outcomes Following Post-Hemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation among Infants of Extremely Low Gestational Age

OBJECTIVE

To assess outcomes following post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) among infants born at ≤26 weeks of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study of infants born April 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015, in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network and categorized into 3 groups: PHVD, intracranial hemorrhage without ventricular dilatation, or normal head ultrasound. PHVD was treated per center practice. Neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-26 months was defined by cerebral palsy, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition, cognitive or motor score <70, blindness, or deafness. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association of death or impairment, adjusting for neonatal course, center, maternal education, and parenchymal hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Of 4216 infants, 815 had PHVD, 769 had hemorrhage without ventricular dilatation, and 2632 had normal head ultrasounds. Progressive dilatation occurred among 119 of 815 infants; the initial intervention in 66 infants was reservoir placement and 53 had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Death or impairment occurred among 68%, 39%, and 28% of infants with PHVD, hemorrhage without dilatation, and normal head ultrasound, respectively; aOR (95% CI) were 4.6 (3.8-5.7) PHVD vs normal head ultrasound scan and 2.98 (2.3-3.8) for PHVD vs hemorrhage without dilatation. Death or impairment was more frequent with intervention for progressive dilatation vs no intervention (80% vs 65%; aOR 2.2 [1.38-3.8]). Death or impairment increased with parenchymal hemorrhage, intervention for PHVD, male sex, and surgery for retinopathy; odds decreased with each additional gestational week.

CONCLUSIONS

PHVD was associated with high rates of death or impairment among infants with gestational ages ≤26 weeks; risk was further increased among those with progressive ventricular dilation requiring intervention.

Neurodevelopmental impairment in necrotising enterocolitis survivors: systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To determine (1) the incidence of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), (2) the impact of NEC severity on NDI in these babies and (3) the cerebral lesions found in babies with NEC.

METHODS

Systematic review: three independent investigators searched for studies reporting infants with NDI and a history of NEC (PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Collaboration, Scopus). Meta-analysis: using RevMan V.5.3, we compared NDI incidence and type of cerebral lesions between NEC infants versus preterm infants and infants with medical vs surgical NEC.

RESULTS

Of 10 674 abstracts screened, 203 full-text articles were examined. In 31 studies (n=2403 infants with NEC), NDI incidence was 40% (IQR 28%-64%) and was higher in infants with surgically treated NEC (43%) compared with medically managed NEC (27%, p<0.00001). The most common NDI in NEC was cerebral palsy (18%). Cerebral lesions: intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) was more common in NEC babies (26%) compared with preterm infants (18%; p<0.0001). There was no difference in IVH incidence between infants with surgical NEC (25%) and those treated medically (20%; p=0.4). The incidence of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) was significantly increased in infants with NEC (11%) compared with preterm infants (5%; p<0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a large proportion of NEC survivors has NDI. NEC babies are at higher risk of developing IVH and/or PVL than babies with prematurity alone. The degree of NDI seems to correlate to the severity of gut damage, with a worse status in infants with surgical NEC compared with those with medical NEC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019120522.

Contemporary Outcomes for Infants with Necrotizing Enterocolitis-A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To develop an accurate understanding of outcomes for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) to inform parental counseling, clinical care, and research agendas.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review of recent (January 2010-January 2018) large cohort studies reporting outcomes of infants who developed NEC. Only studies reporting national, regional, or multicenter outcomes of NEC in high income countries were included. Outcomes assessed were mortality, neurodevelopmental outcome, and intestinal failure. Meta-analyses were used to generate summary statistics for these outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 1375 abstracts, 38 articles were included. Overall mortality was 23.5% in all neonates with confirmed NEC (Bell stage 2a+) (95% CI 18.5%-28.8%), 34.5% (30.1%-39.2%) for neonates that underwent surgery for NEC, 40.5% (37.2%-43.8%) for extremely low birthweight infants (<1000 g), and 50.9% (38.1%-63.5%) for extremely low birthweight infants with surgical NEC. Studies examining causes of neonatal mortality showed NEC is responsible for around 1 in 10 of all neonatal deaths. Neurodevelopmental disability was reported in 4 studies at between 24.8% and 61.1% (1209 total NEC cases). Three studies reported intestinal failure with an incidence of 15.2%-35.0% (n = 1370). The main limitation of this review is the lack of an agreed definition for diagnosing NEC and the differences in the way that outcomes are reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality following NEC remains high. These contemporary data inform clinical care and justify ongoing research efforts. All infants with NEC should have long-term neurodevelopmental assessment. Data on the long-term risk of intestinal failure are limited.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42018094791.

Supplemental Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Pigs

Background: Recombinant human IGF-1/binding protein-3 (rhIGF-1/BP-3) is currently tested as a therapy in preterm infants but possible effects on the gut, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), have not been tested. The aim of this study was to evaluate if rhIGF-1/BP-3 supplementation in the first days after birth negatively affects clinical variables like growth, physical activity, blood chemistry and hematology and gut maturation (e.g., intestinal permeability, morphology, enzyme activities, cytokine levels, enterocyte proliferation, NEC lesions), using NEC-sensitive preterm pigs as a model for preterm infants. Methods: Preterm pigs were given twice daily subcutaneous injections of rhIGF-1/BP-3 or vehicle. Blood was collected for IGF-1 measurements and gut tissue for NEC evaluation and biochemical analyses on day 5. Results: Baseline circulating IGF-1 levels were low in preterm pigs compared with near-term pigs reared by their mother (<20 vs. 70 ng/ml). Injection with rhIGF-1/BP-3 resulted in increased plasma IGF-1 levels for up to 6 h after injection (>40 ng/mL). rhIGF-1/BP-3 treatment reduced the incidence of severe NEC lesions (7/24 vs.16/24, p = 0.01) and overall NEC severity (1.8 ± 0.2 vs. 2.6 ± 0.3, p < 0.05, with most lesions occurring in colon). In the small intestine, villi length (405 ± 25 vs. 345 ± 33 μm) and activities of the brush border peptidases aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV were increased in rhIGF-1/BP-3 treated pigs, relative to control pigs (+31-44%, both p < 0.05). The treatment had no effects on body weight, blood chemistry or hematology, except for an increase in blood leucocyte and neutrophil counts (p < 0.05, i.e., reduced neonatal neutropenia). Likewise, rhIGF-1/BP-3 treatment did not affect intestinal tissue cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα,), enterocyte proliferation, goblet cell density, permeability or bacterial translocation to the bone marrow. Conclusion: Supplemental rhIGF-1/BP-3 did not negatively affect any of the measured variables of clinical status or gut maturation in preterm pigs. Longer-term safety and efficacy of exogenous rhIGF-1/BP-3 to support maturation of the gut and other critical organs in preterm newborns remain to be investigated in both pigs and infants.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Enhancing Awareness for the General Practitioner

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has been recognized for well over 5 decades yet remains the most common life-threatening surgical emergency in the newborn. The incidence of NEC has decreased steadily in preterm and very-low-birthweight infants over several decades and is typically uncommon in term newborns and infants with a birthweight greater than 2,500 g. Evidence accumulating during the past decade, however, suggests that practitioners should consider NEC in this broader subset of term infants with chromosomal and congenital anomalies complicated by heart or gastrointestinal defects when signs and symptoms of feeding intolerance, abdominal illness, or sepsis are present. The short- and long-term consequences of NEC are devastating in all infants, and although early disease recognition and treatment are essential, promoting human milk feeding as a primary modality in prevention is critical. This article highlights our current understanding of the pathophysiology, the clinical presentation, the risk factors for NEC in term infants compared with premature infants, and the treatment of NEC and discusses strategies in the prevention of NEC. Finally, we review the long-term consequences of NEC and the importance of primary care practitioners in the long-term care of infants after hospitalization for NEC.

Successful conservative treatment of intestinal perforation in VLBW and ELBW neonates: a single centre case series and review of the literature

Background

The current standard treatment of neonates with intestinal perforation is surgery. However, the mortality rate after surgical treatment for intestinal perforation is very high for very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates. In this review, conservative treatment of pneumoperitoneum among VLBW and ELBW neonates is investigated.

Methods

Between January 2015 and December 2017, data from all of the VLBW and ELBW neonates with pneumoperitoneum who survived without surgical treatment were collected from Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital in Guangdong, China. Twenty-two neonates with birth weight less than 1500 g were diagnosed with pneumoperitoneum. Following careful evaluation and discussion, eleven were treated conservatively and this was successful in eight. Details of the eight neonates including birth weight, gestational age, gender, risk factors, time of the perforation, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively recorded. A literature review was performed of previously reported cases that had used conservative treatment.

Results

The median gestational age and birth weight of the eight neonates were 27^+ 1 weeks (range 24w^+ 3 to 31w^+ 6) and 855 g (range 650 g to 1440 g), respectively. Pneumoperitoneum was confirmed by X-ray in all at a median of 8 days of life. They received full parenteral support for a median of 22 days. All eight neonates received a combination of piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem as first-choice antibiotics, two of them also received fluconazole as anti-fungal medication. Median duration of hospitalisation was 80 days.

Conclusions

Conservative treatment with careful surveillance may be a practical choice for the VLBW and ELBW neonates with intestinal perforation. Further studies are needed for confirmation.

Vermont Oxford Network: a worldwide learning community

A health care learning community engages providers and families in a collaborative environment to improve outcomes. Vermont Oxford Network (VON), a voluntary organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and value of care through a coordinated program of data-driven quality improvement, education, and research, is a worldwide learning community in newborn medicine. Through collection of pragmatic structured data items and benchmarking reports, quality improvement collaboratives, pragmatic trials, and observational research, VON facilitates quality improvement by multidisciplinary teams and families in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in low, middle, and high resource countries. By bringing health professionals and families together across disciplines and geographies to enable shared learning and knowledge dissemination, VON empowers individuals, organizations, and systems to meet the shared vision that every infant around the world can and should achieve their full potential.

Impact of early protein and energy intakes on neurodevelopment at 2 years of corrected age in very low birth weight infants: A single-center observational study

Introduction

Aggressive nutritional strategy, particularly enhancing early provision of energy and protein, has appeared to reduce postnatal growth failure and improve later developmental outcomes. But the amount of macronutrients required remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of protein and energy intakes during the first two weeks after birth on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study of very low birth weight infants born between January 2012 and December 2015 was conducted at one tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. The primary outcome was a neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 2 years corrected age defined by a cerebral palsy or a 24 month Ages and Stages Questionnaires score on any of the five domains lower than 2 standard deviation below the mean score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for perinatal and postnatal confounders.

Results

Among 245 (73%) infants discharged home alive, 159 (65%) had follow-up at 2 years. Infants with NDI (55/159, 35%) were more likely male gender (67.3% versus 46.2%, P = 0.02) and experienced more patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation (20% versus 5.8%, P = 0.01) than control. After adjusting for confounders, first-week protein intake (OR: 2.27 [CI: 1.07–5.14]; P < 0.05), second-week non-protein energy intake (OR: 1.03 [CI: 1.01–1.05]; P < 0.01) and PDA ligation (OR: 6.81 [1.80–28.46]; P < 0.01) had significant independent association with higher likelihood of NDI at 2 years.

Conclusion

Providing nutrition above the optimal level may not be beneficial and may even be harmful. These results confirm the recent recommendation to decrease amino acid intakes published in the latest ESPGHAN guidelines.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Long Term Complications

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains the most threatening gastrointestinal complication of prematurity leading to high mortality, morbidity and cost. Common complications of NEC include neurodevelopmental delay, failure to thrive, gastrointestinal problems including strictures and adhesions, cholestasis, short bowel syndrome with or without intestinal failure that can be difficult to manage. Infants who develop NEC benefit from close follow-up for early diagnosis and treatment of complications. Those who present with severe complications such as intestinal failure benefit from a multidisciplinary approach involving careful assessment and treatment. Studies done so far are limited in providing a long-term prognosis. Here we review some of these complications. More studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to better understand the later comorbidities that develop in babies with NEC.

Surgical considerations for neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a potentially devastating condition that preferentially affects premature and low birth weight infants, with approximately half requiring acute surgical intervention. Surgical consult should be considered early on, and deterioration despite maximal medical therapy or the finding of pneumoperitoneum are the strongest indications for emergent surgical intervention. There is no clear consensus on the optimal surgical approach between peritoneal drainage and laparotomy; the best course of action likely depends on the infant's comorbidities, hemodynamic status, size, disease involvement, and available resources. Patients who develop surgical NEC are at a significant risk for morbidity and mortality, with long-term complications including short bowel syndrome, growth failure, and neurodevelopmental impairment. Further research into strategies that optimize outcomes following surgery for NEC in the neonatal intensive care unit and long-term are paramount.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Neurodevelopmental Outcome

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious complication of prematurity that is associated with an increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome secondary to a complex relationship between various morbidities that increase the risk for central nervous system injury. Affected infants are exposed to a variety of circulating cytokines known to be associated with white matter injury. These infants also have an increased risk of secondary blood stream infections and nutritional compromise.

Growth morbidity in extremely low birth weight survivors of necrotizing enterocolitis at discharge and two-year follow-up

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine postnatal growth outcomes and predictors of growth failure at 18-24months corrected age among extremely low birth weight (ELBW) survivors of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) compared to survivors without NEC.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on ELBW (22-27weeks gestation or 401-1000g birth weight) infants born 2000-2013 at 46 centers participating in the Vermont Oxford Network follow-up project. Severe growth failure was defined as <3rd percentile weight-for-age.

RESULTS

There were 9171 evaluated infants without NEC, 416 with medical NEC, and 462 with surgical NEC. Rates of severe growth failure at discharge were higher among infants with medical NEC (56%) and surgical NEC (61%), compared to those without NEC (36%). At 18-24months follow-up, rates of severe growth failure decreased and were similar between without NEC (24%), medical NEC (24%), and surgical NEC (28%). On multivariable analysis, small for gestational age, chronic lung disease, severe intraventricular hemorrhage or cystic periventricular leukomalacia, severe growth failure at discharge, and postdischarge tube feeding predicted <3rd percentile weight-for-age at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

ELBW survivors of NEC have higher rates of severe growth failure at discharge. While NEC is not associated with severe growth failure at follow-up, one quarter of ELBW infants have severe growth failure at 18-24months.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prognosis study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.