Fulminant necrotising enterocolitis immediately following change to low birth weight formula feeds.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate how low birth weight formula (LBWF) feeds may be implicated in the pathogenesis of a particularly fulminant form of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case note review was undertaken of cases of fulminant NEC between 1997 and 2003 with particular regard to the feeding history.

Results: Nine preterm infants were stable and already tolerating full enteral feeds for a median of seven days prior to developing fulminant NEC within a median of 24 hours following the introduction of LBWF.

Conclusions: Although fortification of feeds undoubtedly benefits many premature neonates, there may be a tendency for LBWF feeds to preempt the development of fulminant NEC. This possible temporal association between LBWF and fulminant NEC requires further investigation.