Time to first passage of meconium and defecation frequency preceding necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: a case –control study

Conclusion: In this cohort, no association was found between TFPM, duration of meconium stool, and DF  <  T0 and the development of NEC.What is Known:• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening acute intestinal inflammatory disease of the young preterm infant. Early clinical risk factors for NEC have been investigated in order to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.• Signs of disrupted gastrointestinal mobility, such as gastric retention and paralytic ileus, have been established  to support the diagnosis of NEC. Nevertheless, defecation patterns have insufficiently been studied in relation to the disease.What is New:• Defecation patterns in the three days preceding NEC did not differ from gestational age-matched controls of corresponding postnatal age. Additionally, the first passage of meconium and the duration of meconium passage were comparable between cases and controls. Currently, defecation patterns a re not useful as early warning signs for NEC. It remains to be elucidated whether these parameters are different based on the location of intestinal necrosis.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research