Short summary

The recommendations for treatment of premature babies change regularly. Since 2009, important factors such as feeding regime and oxygen saturation limits have been changed in the western part of Denmark. This investigation is conducted to determine if this has had an influence on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The study includes both surgical and non-surgical treatment of NEC. 

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Rationale

By looking at the number of patients born before week 32 and treated for NEC in the years 2000-2015, it can be ascertained if the changes in treatment has influenced on incidence.

We define non-surgically treated NEC as no oral feeding for 36 hours and a minimum of 5 days of antibiotic treatment with ampicillin, gentamicin and metronidazole. By looking at patients at the university hospital in Odense (OUH), born before week 32 with a sepsis diagnosis or a conservative NEC diagnosis, we establish the incidence of this disease in the years 2004-2015.

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Description of the cohort

All children born before week 28 (2000-2015) in the western part of Denmark. There are three centers that take care of all premature babies born before week 28 in the western part off Denmark. If NEC occurs in such a state that surgical treatment is required, the patient is transported to the University hospital in Odense. This one center is in charge of all abdominal surgical interventions performed on premature children in the western part of Denmark

For the group of children born before week 32 at OUH we investigate of surgically treated NEC (2000-2015) and non-surgically treated NEC (2004-2015)

Data and biological material

We collect data of the diagnosis NEC and the stage of the disease. For nor-surgically treated NEC we collect information about the disease base on the defined criteria (no feeding orally for 36 hours and a minimum of 5 days of antibiotic treatment with ampicillin, gentamicin and metronidazole). Furthermore we also register which clinical factors were involved in the diagnosis of non-surgically treated NEC.

For all patients we register birth weight and gestational age. 

Collaborating researchers and departments

H.C. Andersens Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital

• Neonatologist Gitte Zacchariassen, DMSc, PhD
• Pediatrician Lise Bonvig Aunsholt, DMSc, PhD

Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital

Department of Pediatrics, Aalborg University Hospital

Department of Pediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding

• Lise Johansen, DMSc