[Necrotizing enterocolitis in the newborn infant. Pathogenetic risk factors in a 3 year analysis].

In a clinical study possible risk factors causing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were studied in 17 preterm infants with NEC and compared with a control group of 17 healthy preterm infants. We found a more frequent rate of blood exchange transfusions and a lower rate of breast milk feeding in patients who later developed NEC than in the control group. But there were no differences between both groups concerning factors promoting hypoxia of the gut, the number of infections, antibiotic treatment, or hyperosmolar enteral feeding. The preterm infants with NEC did not show any characteristics in history, physical examination and clinical course. These children could not be distinguished as a risk group for this illness from the newborn infant control group. Therefore, with the exception of breast milk feeding, no special prevention of the necrotizing enterocolitis can be recommended.