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. 2021 May;41(5):1122-1128.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-00990-2. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Spontaneous intestinal perforation in premature infants: a national study

Marwa M Elgendy  1 , Hasan F Othman  2 , Farah Heis  3 , Ibrahim Qattea  3 , Hany Aly  3
Affiliations

Spontaneous intestinal perforation in premature infants: a national study

Marwa M Elgendy et al. J Perinatol. 2021 May.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and outcomes of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in very low birth weight infants.

Study design: This cross-sectional study utilized the National Inpatient Sample dataset for the years 2002-2017. All premature infants with birth weight (BW) <1500 g and with gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks were included. Analyses were repeated after stratifying the population into two BW sub-categories <1000 g and 1000-1499 g. Trend analysis was done using Cochran-Armitage test. Regression analysis was conducted to control for gestational age, race, and sex.

Result: A total of 658,001 infants were included. SIP (n = 10,443, 1.6%) was mostly (81.9%) in the category <1000 g with 89.9% ≤28 weeks of gestation. There was a significant trend for increased SIP over the years (p < 0.001). SIP was associated with increased mortality (aOR = 2.24, CI: 2.04-2.46, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: After controlling for gestational age and other confounders, SIP is associated with increased mortality in premature infants.

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