Risk factors for mortality in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: analysis of 118 cases
10.3760/cma.j.cn113903-20240529-00375
- VernacularTitle:坏死性小肠结肠炎新生儿死亡的危险因素：118例分析
- Author:
Yueju CAI
1
;
Yuying LIN
;
Dabin HUANG
;
Xiaowen CHEN
;
Yongjiang JIANG
;
Wei ZHOU
Author Information
1. 广州医科大学附属妇女儿童医疗中心新生儿科，广州 510623
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Necrotizing enterocolitis;
Mortality;
Risk factors;
Newborn;
Infant
- From:
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine
2025;28(2):142-149
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the risk factors for mortality in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods:This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with NEC at stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ (Bell's criteria) and admitted to the Neonatology Department of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from January 2017 to December 2022. According to the outcomes, these patients were divided into the mortality and survival groups. Perinatal conditions, clinical manifestations, disease status during hospitalization, and blood routine parameters at different time points after birth were compared between the two groups to analyze the risk factors for mortality of NEC. Statistical analysis was performed using independent-sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test), and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results:(1) A total of 118 NEC cases were included, with 100 in the survival group and 18 in the mortality group. (2) The gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the mortality group than in the survival group [(28.9±4.2) weeks vs. (33.7±3.9) weeks, t=4.78; 940 g (685-1 275 g) vs. 1 830 g (1 352-2 368 g), Z=4.18; both P<0.05]. The incidence of neonatal asphyxia was higher in the mortality group [9/18 vs. 18% (18/100), χ2=7.13, P<0.05]. (3) Compared with the survival group, the mortality group had higher proportions of patients who were at NEC stage Ⅲ, accepted surgery, were treated with vasoactive drugs, had undergone invasive mechanical ventilation, or had metabolic acidosis, hyperlactatemia, shock, or hematochezia [17/18 vs. 24% (24/100), χ2=33.39; 17/18 vs. 31% (31/100), χ2=22.88; 16/18 vs. 22% (22/100), χ2=31.26; 16/18 vs. 39% (39/100), χ2=15.26; 18/18 vs. 28% (28/100), χ2=30.29; 16/18 vs. 20% (20/100), χ2=34.15; 17/18 vs. 21% (21/100), χ2=37.69; 9/18 vs. 82% (82/100), χ2=7.13; all P<0.05]. (4) The proportions of patients who developed late-onset sepsis, hemodynamically- significant patent ductus arteriosus, respiratory distress syndrome, or pulmonary hemorrhage were significantly higher in the mortality group than in the survival group [15/18 vs. 33% (33/100), χ2=16.01; 9/18 vs. 21% (21/100), χ2=5.32; 15/18 vs. 39% (39/100), χ2=12.08; 7/18 vs. 7% (7/100), χ2=11.94; all P<0.05]. (5) Within 24 h of birth, the levels of red blood cells and platelets were lower in the mortality group than in the survival group [4.1×1012/L (3.8×10 12/L-4.6×10 12/L) vs. 4.6×10 12/L (4.0×10 12/L-4.9×10 12/L), Z=2.04; (199.9±68.6)×10 9/L vs. (239.8±72.6)×10 9/L, t=2.16; both P<0.05]; at 6-8 d after birth, the levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) were lower in the mortality group than in the survival group [(3.2±0.5)×10 12/L vs. (3.9±0.8)×10 12/L, t=3.30; (111.2±19.2) vs. (138.1±28.3) g/L, t=3.51; (33.0±5.4)% vs. (40.9±8.1)%, t=3.61; all P<0.05]; at the diagnosis of NEC, red blood cell count, Hb level, HCT, and platelet count were lower in the mortality group than in the survival group [(3.3±1.0)×10 12/L vs. (3.8±0.8)×10 12/L, t=2.47; (102.8±28.8) vs. (124.4±26.3) g/L, t=3.59; 31.0% (25.9%-38.4%) vs. 37.2% (31.5%-43.7%), Z=2.62; 87.0×10 9/L (50.2×10 9/L-157.0×10 9/L) vs. 228.0×10 9/L (130.0×10 9/L-414.7×10 9/L), Z=3.78; all P<0.05], while mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width, and the differences in hemoglobin (ΔHb) and hematocrit (ΔHCT) between the first 24 h after birth and 6-8 d after birth were significantly higher in the mortality group than in the survival group [13.1 fl (11.4-13.6 fl) vs. 11.6 fl (10.7-12.4 fl), Z=3.26; 19.6% (13.9%-25.2%) vs. 14.8% (12.0%-18.6%), Z=2.76; 35.5 g/L (28.3-57.3 g/L) vs. 27.0 g/L (8.0-42.5 g/L), Z=2.20;11.5% (9.4%-16.3%) vs. 6.3% (2.2%-11.2%), Z=2.85; all P<0.05]. (6) Late-onset sepsis ( OR=5.568, 95% CI: 1.201-25.816), hyperlactatemia ( OR=6.702, 95% CI: 1.193-37.651), shock ( OR=10.616, 95% CI: 1.157-97.406) and MPV elevation at the diagnosis of NEC ( OR=2.769, 95% CI: 1.468-5.223) were independent risk factors, while gestational age ( OR=0.836, 95% CI: 0.708-0.986), and HCT at 6-8 d after birth ( OR=0.848, 95% CI: 0.759-0.947) were protecting fctors for death in NEC. Conclusions:Preterm infants with smaller gestational age are more prone to mortality of NEC. Early identification and management of late-onset sepsis, shock, and hyperlactatemia may reduce the risk of mortality in NEC.
