Long-term follow-up of patients with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background/purpose: Despite the rise in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), there is a paucity of data regarding long-term patient outcome. The authors examined functional outcome of infants with NEC (n = 103) treated at our institution between 1991 and 1995.

Methods: The authors reviewed the medical records of infants who were treated both operatively and nonoperatively, n = 103. Variables examined included gestational age, birth weight, Bell stage (I through III), operations performed, and mortality rate. Telephone interviews assessed school enrollment, developmental delay, bowel function, and nutritional status.

Results: Children treated operatively had a lower gestational age than those in the nonoperative group. Likewise, birth weight in the operative group was significantly lower. Sixty-three percent of patients had stage III, and the remainder had stage II disease. The telephone response rate was 61%. Mean age at follow-up was 7.5 +/- 2.5 years. All children ate by mouth. Nearly all children were toilet trained. All children were less than the 50th percentile for height and weight, and the majority (83%) were enrolled in school full time.

Conclusion: Infants with stage II and III NEC who are treated operatively or nonoperatively have a favorable long-term outcome.