TABLE 3.
Comparison between NEC cases and controls in the ancillary propensity-matched case-control study1
| NEC cases (n = 14) | Controls (n = 73) | P 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neonatal characteristics | |||
| Gestational age, wk | 28.4 ± 1.9 | 28.5 ± 1.7 | 0.81 |
| Birth weight z score | 0.05 ± 1.1 | −0.38 ± 1.1 | 0.18 |
| Irregular intestinal transit during the first 7 d | 9 (64.3) | 38 (52.1) | 0.40 |
| Apgar score <7 at 5 min | 3 (21.4) | 16 (21.9) | 0.97 |
| NICU profiles concerning enteral feeding | |||
| Slower | 3 (21.4) | 12 (16.4) | 0.78 |
| Intermediate | 9 (64.3) | 45 (61.6) | |
| Faster | 2 (14.3) | 16 (21.9) | |
| NICU direct-breastfeeding policy | |||
| Less favorable | 2 (14.2) | 12 (21.4) | 0.88 |
| Intermediate | 12 (85.7) | 60 (64.2) | |
| More favorable | 0 (0) | 1 (14.2) | |
| Microbiota | |||
| Age at time of stool collection, d | 25.8 (16.7) | 23.3 (13.3) | 0.55 |
| Genus: Clostridium | 12 (85.7) | 26 (35.6) | 0.001 |
| Species | |||
| C. neonatale | 7 (50.0) | 8 (11.0) | 0.002 |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 8 (57.1) | 10 (13.7) | 0.001 |
| C. neonatale or S. aureus | 10 (71.4) | 18 (24.7) | 0.001 |
| C. neonatale and S. aureus | 5 (35.7) | 0 (0.0) | 0.001 |
1
Values are means ± SDs or n (%). NEC, necrotizing enterocolitis; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit.
2
P values for comparison between controls and NEC cases were derived by using ANOVA, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test as appropriate.