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Review
. 2018 Dec;23(6):374-379.
doi: 10.1016/j.siny.2018.07.005. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

A critical analysis of risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis

Allison Thomas Rose  1 , Ravi Mangal Patel  2
Affiliations
Review

A critical analysis of risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis

Allison Thomas Rose et al. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common serious gastrointestinal morbidity in preterm infants. A number of risk factors for NEC have been reported in the literature. With the exception of decreasing gestational age, decreasing birth weight and formula feeding, there is disagreement on the importance of reported risk factors with uncertain causality. Causal risk factors may be observed at any time before the onset of NEC, including prior to an infant's birth. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing literature and summarize risk factors for NEC. This review may be helpful in understanding the epidemiology of NEC and inform the measurement and assessment of risks factors for NEC in research studies and quality improvement projects.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Neonate; Prematurity; Risk factor.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement

Dr. Rose has no financial or personal relationship with people or organizations that would bias the content of this article. Dr. Patel has no financial or personal relationship with people or organizations that would bias the content of this article.

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