Table 1.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis
Considered
			Sometimes			Always
			n [%]	(95% CI)	p	n [%]	(95% CI)	p
Paralytic ilieus in sepsis, n = 202			65 [32%]			127 [63%]
	Neonatologists, n = 77		15 [19%]	(12–30%)		59 [77%]	(66–85%)
	Paediatric surgeons, n=58		18 [31%]			37 [64%]
	Radiologists, n = 74		33 [45%]	(33–56%)	0.001	37 [50%]	(38–62%)	0.001
Spontaneous intestinal perforation, n = 202			83 [41%]			105 [52%]
	Neonatologists, n = 77		28 [36%]			47 [61%]	(50–73%)
	Paediatric surgeons, n = 58		21 [36%]			34 [59%]
	Radiologists, n = 74		36 [49%]			28 [38%]	(27–49%)	0.011
Feeding intolerance of the premature, n = 128a			47 [37%]			63 [49%]
	Neonatologists, n = 77		24 [31%]			46 [60%]	(48–70%)
	Paediatric surgeons, n = 58		25 [43%]			18 [31%]	(20–44%)	< 0.001
Gastrointestinal malformation, n = 202			125 [62%]			46 [23%]
Ileus from meconium or other obstruction, n = 202			111 [55%]			59 [29%]
Hirschsprung's disease, n = 202			123 [61%]			32 [16%]
Viral enteritis/gastroenteritis, n = 202			95 [47%]			20 [10%]
	Neonatologists, n = 77		49 [64%]	(53–76%)		1 [1%]	(-1–4%)
	Paediatric surgeons, n = 58		25 [43%]			3 [5%]	(-1–11%)
	Radiologists, n = 74		25 [34%]	(24–46%)	< 0.001	18 [24%]	(15–35%)	< 0.001
Cow milk protein allergy, n = 128a			63 [49%]			4 [3%]

^a)In clinicians’ questionnaire only

Percentages refer to the proportions of respondents. Where significant differences between specialties were detected, 95% confidence intervals and p values are given. Supplementary analyses showed no substantial influence of geographical variations

Other suggested differential diagnoses: tympanism due to CPAP (3); hypoperfusion/circulatory insufficiency, e.g. due to congenital heart disease (2); immature gastrointestinal motility (2); paralytic ileus due to other causes than sepsis (metabolic, hypokalaemia, hypothyroidism, narcotics ) (3); incarcerated hernia (1); obstipation (1); eosinophilic proctocolitis (1). Cow milk protein allergy was stated in free text by one radiologist