Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the risk factors for NEC in gestational age (GA)<34 weeks neonates. Methods Risk factors associated with NEC were investigated using a retrospective case-control design. Patients with Bell′s stage NEC ≥Ⅱ were identified between 1st March 2010 and 1st March 2015. Each case was paired with two GA- and weight-matched controls. Data were collected from medical records,including ICP, asphyxia after birth, family allergy history, breast feeding, MAS, sepsis, CHD, probiotics and transfusion of PRBC, and univariate and logistic regression analyses employed to analyze the risk factors related to NEC. Results A total of 66 cases and 132 controls were enrolled.The demographic characteristics of the two groups were not statistically significant. The onset time of 66 cases was 2-27 d after birth and the average time was 15.5 d. Variation in months after NEC was diagnosed was noted, with a peak in January (9 cases) and a trough in August (2 cases). Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) （OR=2.38,95%CI:1.74-5.49）,transfusion with packed red blood cells (PRBCs) （OR=3.33,95%CI:1.76-5.78）,postnatal asphyxia (OR=2.49,95%CI:1.69-4.95) and sepsis （OR=4.05,95%CI:2.01-6.87） were significantly associated with NEC. Probiotic use was protective factor. Conclusion A seasonal variation in months in babies with NEC was observed. A range of conditions was found to be associated with an increased risk of NEC under 34 weeks′ gestation. IICP, asphyxia after birth, sepsis and transfusion of PRBC were found to be associated with an increased risk of NEC under 34 weeks′ gestation. Probiotics was a protective factor.