Tag Archives: NEC

What About the Risk of Not Intervening to Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Posted on by

J Tobias et al. J Pediatr 2022; 244; 64-71. Open Access: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis EVC001 Administration Is Associated with a Significant Reduction in the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Editorial: MA Underwood J Pediatr 2022; 64: 14-16. Open Access: Bifidobacterium infantis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Death, and the Role of Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Methods: Nonconcurrent retrospective analysis of 2 cohorts of 483 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants not exposed and exposed to B infantis EVC001 probiotic at Oregon Health & Science University from 2014 to 2020

Key findings:

  • The cumulative incidence of NEC diagnoses decreased from 11.0% (n = 301) in the no EVC001 (unexposed) cohort to 2.7% (n = 182) in the EVC001 (exposed) cohort (P < .01); this was a 73% risk reduction of NEC
  • NEC-associated mortality decreased from 2.7% in the no EVC001 cohort to 0% in the EVC001 cohort (P = .03)
  • There was a lack of adverse events (including probiotic sepsis)

Key points from editorial:

  • “The first cohort study showing a significant decrease in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) with the routine administration of probiotic dietary supplements [was] more than 20 years ago”
  • “The most recent Cochrane Database systematic review 2 included 56 randomized or quasi-randomized trials in which 10 812 infants participated. Meta-analysis found evidence for decreased risk of NEC (Risk ratio [RR] 0.54)”
  • Both the AGA and ESPGHAN have recommended routine probiotics administration to preterm infants. However, the AAP recommends “against routine probiotic administration citing ‘the lack of FDA-regulated pharmaceutical-grade products in the United States, conflicting data on safety and efficacy, and potential for harm in a highly vulnerable population.’”
  • “Recognizing that many neonatologists have opted to adopt routine probiotic administration to infants born preterm, the recent American Academy of Pediatrics statement6 recommends that an informed consent process for utilizing probiotics. Dr. Underwood counters: “there is no mention of a need to discuss these risks and benefits by those well-informed clinicians who may not believe that the data support administering probiotics. Inclusion of parents in decision-making in the NICU improves parent satisfaction and infant outcomes.”
  • Parent and clinician resource: necsociety.org. 9 Things You Need to Know About Necrotizing Enterocolitis and NEC Facts

My take: It is hard to understand that, despite 20 years of research showing probiotics can reduce mortality and morbidity in premature infants, we have not been able to manufacture a consistent, reliable high-quality probiotic capable of meeting FDA standards.

Does necrotizing enterocolitis cause neurologic deficits?

Posted on by

Quite possibly (J Pediatr 2012; 160: 409-14).

There have been recent reports that surgery in preterm and even term infants can affect neurodevelopmental outcomes.  This report, which looked at infants born at <30 weeks or birth weight of <1250 g, adds more information in this area.  The surgery group (n=30) had more white matter injury on MRI and lower developmental scores at 2 years than the nonsurgical group (n=178).  Infants requiring bowel surgery had the worst outcomes.  The exact reasons for these outcomes and the significance are unclear, in part due to the small number of infants with bowel surgery.  Potential factors include inflammatory mediators/cytokines, and anesthesia effects.

The article notes that the FDA has issued warnings regarding anesthetic use in neonates and young children.  These agents may cause abnormalities in the developing brain, particularly in the thalamus.

This study has a number of limitations including the lack of preoperative comparative imaging studies.  Nevertheless, despite unresolved issues regarding causality, it is clear that infants who have necrotizing enterocolitis remain at high risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Additional references:

  • -Anesth Analg 2007; 104: 509-20.  Anesthetics in neonates and young children.
  • -J Pediatr 2008; 153: 170-5. Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with sepsis or NEC.