The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2014 , Vol 56 , Num 2
Factors Affecting Mortality in Stage 3b Necrotizing Enterocolitis
1Department of Pediatric Surgery and 2Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity,
Children’s Health and Diseases, Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail:ayseuk@gmail.com
This study aimed to determine the factors that may affect the development of
mortality in patients with stage 3b necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Between
January 2005 and December 2012, patients with the diagnosis of stage 3b
NEC who were surgically treated were enrolled in the study. Gestational age,
birth weight, presence of hypoxemia history, major congenital heart diseases,
enteral feeding, age at perforation, drainage type, operation, and laboratory
findings were considered regarding their possible relationship with mortality.
Thirty-one patients were enrolled in this study. Following treatment, 15
patients died, while 16 patients recovered and were discharged. Feeding
type, high levels of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT), creatinine, and low platelet count, as well as need of inotropic
support were associated with mortality. When the cut-off point of platelet
level for mortality development in stage 3b NEC was calculated by receiver
operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the cut-off point for thrombocyte level
was found to be 110,000/μL, with 93.3% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity.
Despite the innovations in newborn intensive care, the mortality rate of
stage 3b NEC remains very high. Breastfeeding has a significantly positive
impact on the survival of patients with NEC. Thrombocytopenia is the most
important risk factor of mortality in stage 3b NEC.
Keywords :
necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal perforation, primary peritoneal drainage,
thrombocytopenia, mortality.