Necrotizing enterocolitis: socio-demographic, clinical and histopathological findings in a series of neonatal autopsies

Abstract

Introduction. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a disorder characterized by the ischemic necrosis of intestinal mucosa. It is the most serious gastrointestinal disease affecting neonates, with high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly among premature newborns. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and anatamopathological characteristics of deceased newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis, diagnosed at a high-complexity hospital. Methodology. This is a descriptive retrospective study of 21 cases of medical-scientific autopsies performed at a high-complexity hospital in northeastern Colombia, with anatomo-pathological findings of necrotizing enterocolitis, performed between January 2013 and July 2017. Results 85.7% of the newborns were pre-term, and the same percentage had weight at birth below 2.5 kilograms. Regarding the mothers' background, 14.3% displayed a spectrum of hypertensive disorders associated with pregnancy, and 23.8% had maternal infections. The three most frequent locations of necrotizing enterocolitis were the ileum, ascending colon and transverse colon. Discussion. According to some authors, up to 85% of all cases of necrotizing enterocolitis occur in premature patients, especially in babies with extremely low weight at birth. There are forms of necrotizing enterocolitis that occur in full term babies, and they are generally associated with contributing factors, which is consistent with the findings of this study. Conclusions. This study of a Colombian population is consistent with other descriptions of the global population, where necrotizing enterocolitis arises more frequently in pre-term newborns and low weight at birth.