Table 4. Patient characteristics of infants with uncomplicated and complicated NEC.
Data are expressed as median (range) or as numbers unless otherwise specified. Abbreviations: NEC—necrotizing enterocolitis; NIRS—near-infrared spectroscopy; PDA—patent ductus arteriosus; PNA—postnatal age; RBC—red blood cell. Circulatory failure was defined as hemodynamic instability and scored by the need for volume expansion or the use of inotropes or both, from 1 hour before NEC onset until the first forty-eight hours after NEC onset or until surgery took place, whichever came first. Differences between the two groups are marked by * (< .05).
| Uncomplicated NEC (n = 10) | Complicated NEC (n = 10) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gestational age (weeks) | 30.9 (25.7–35.9) | 27.2 (25.0–34.0)* |
| Birth weight (grams) | 1518 (740–2400) | 1035 (790–2280) |
| Male:Female | 6:4 | 8:2 |
| PNA at first NIRS measurement (days) | 10 (3–41) | 10 (7–22) |
| Anemia (%) | 3 (30) | 3 (30) |
| Thrombocytopenia (%) | 1 (10) | 4 (40) |
| Metabolic acidosis (%) | 1 (11) (n = 9) | 2 (20) |
| Mechanical ventilation (%) | 2 (20) | 4 (40) |
| Treated PDA before onset study (%) | 1 (10) | 4 (40) |
| PDA during study (%) | 1 (10) | 4 (40) |
| Hemodynamically significant | 0 | 2 |
| RBC transfusion (%) | 3 (30) | 4 (40) |
| Circulatory failure | ||
| Fluid resuscitation (%) | 4 (40) | 8 (80) |
| Inotropes (%) | 0 (-) | 6 (60)* |
| Surgery (%) | 1 (10) | 8 (80)* |
| Death (%) | 0 (-) | 7 (70)* |