Table 1.
Characteristics of study infants grouped by outcome
| Characteristic | NECaor death (n = 173) | Survivors/no NEC (n = 1099) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth weight (g) | 722 ± 139 | 787 ± 133** |
| Gestational age (weeks) | 25 ± 2 | 26 ± 2** |
| Race | ||
| Black | 51% (88) | 45% (491) |
| White | 33% (57) | 39% (429) |
| Hispanic | 15% (26) | 14% (159) |
| Other | 1% (2) | 2% (20) |
| Male | 52% (90) | 46% (510) |
| Multiple birth | 26% (45) | 21% (231) |
| 5-min apgar <5 | 19% (32) | 12% (132)** |
| Intrapartum antibiotics | 65% (113) | 68% (747) |
| Antenatal steroids | 78% (135) | 81% (891) |
| Prophylactic indomethacinb | 23% (40) | 27% (298) |
| Patent ductus arteriosusc | 54% (94) | 40% (437)** |
| Feeding characteristic | ||
| Any HM feeding (%) | 116 (67) | 811 (74) |
| Daily volume HM (ml kg–1) first 14 days | 6.1 ± 11.0 | 11.0 ± 17.9** |
| Cumulative volume HM (ml kg–1) first 14 days | 85 ± 154 | 154 ± 250** |
| Cumulative volume non-HM (ml kg–1) (enteral) first 14 days | 70 ± 145 | 131 ± 246** |
| Proportion HM/total intake in first 14 days (%)d | 6 ± 10 | 10 ± 16** |
| Proportion HM/total intake for entire NICU stay (%)d | 10 ± 16 | 24 ± 32** |
| Proportion HM/enteral intake in first 14 days (%) | 48 ± 46 | 53 ± 46 |
| Proportion HM/enteral intake for entire NICU stay (%) | 41 ± 42 | 29 ± 37** |
| First enteral feeding (days) | 9 ± 8 | 7 ± 6** |
| First HM feeding (days) | 10 ± 9 | 9 ± 10 |
| Received only HM in first 14 days | 28% (49) | 32% (353) |
Abbreviations: NEC, necrotizing enterocolitis; HM, human milk; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit.
Continuous variables reported as mean ± s.d.; categorical variables reported as % (n).
**
P<0.05 when comparing characteristics of infants with outcome NEC or death and those without the outcome.
a
NEC, n = 98; death, n = 75.
b
Defined as indomethacin given within the first 24 h of life.
c
Defined as PDA treated with either indomethacin and/or surgical ligation.
d
Total intake defined as enteral plus parenteral nutrition.