Prenatal risk factors for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the presence of a relationship between prenatal exposure to potential risk factors and the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Materials and Methods: The clinical data of 99 mother-newborn couples diagnosed with Bell’s stage IIA NEC and a comparable comparison group were studied. The clinical characteristics of the main group with NEC were compared with the control group using the Student’s t-test. To assess the severity of the impact of potential risk factors, the Cochran - Mantel - Hensel method was used with the construction of a logistic regression model. Results. A statistically significant relationship was established between ampicillin prescribed to pregnant women and the occurrence of NEC in newborns. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of prenatal ampicillin exposure was significantly greater for infants with NEC (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1, 4.8, P = 0.003) than for infants in the comparison group. Potential influencing factors (arterial hypertension, chorioamnionitis, artificial feeding and male sex) which also contribute to the development of NEC in newborns during prenatal antibiotic therapy, have been identified.