The Role Sonographic Imaging Features in the Prediction of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Outcomes in Neonatal Patients

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract that representsasignificant source of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. The objective of the current study is tofind out the correlation between sonographic imaging features and the outcomes of necrotizing enterocolitisin children , and their role as a predictive tool for the consequences resulted from necrotizing enterocolitis.Thirty two children (patients) have been included in this study, patients were divided into three groupsaccording to the follow up outcomes: those that been recovered (Group I), those that needed surgery (GroupII) , and those that died (Group III). The study was achieved at Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital in Al-NajafCity, in Iraq , during the period between December 2020 to March 2021 .The results showed that there is asignificant difference (P value <0.05) among the three groups in terms of the following items : fluid-filleddilated bowel loop, decreased peristaltic movement, focal fluid collection , portal gas .The study concludedthat the presence of Fluid-filled dilated bowel loop, peristaltic movement, local fluid collection , portal gascan be considered as predictive tool for the poor outcomes of necrotizing enterocolitis .