ABSTRACT
All proven cases of necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC] diagnosed in the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh between July 1983 and August 1988 were reviewed. There were 20 cases diagnosed to have NEC. During the study period, there were 1635 admissions to the NICU giving an incidence of NEC of 1.2% of all NICU admissions. Mean birthweight of cases was 1653g [range: 840-3140 g], mean gestational age was 31.6 weeks [range: 26-40 weeks] and the mean age at diagnosis was 8.5 days [range: 1-37 days]. The main predisposing factors were prematurity [80%]; sepsis [75%] and hyperosmolar milk formula feeding [40%]. The common Presenting features were abdominal distension [80%], increasing gastric residue [70%] and blood in the stools [25%]. Surgery was required in 40% of cases