Neonatal necrotising enterocolitis at Sin Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore: prevalence and presentation

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted in of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore to find out the prevalence and presentations of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC]. The study population comprised of 786 consecutive newborns admitted in Neonatal Nursery during the study period of eight months I.e. 1st January 1999 to 31st August 1999. The neonates were screened for birth weight, gestational age, low Apgar scores, and eternal non-breast milk feeding. Seventy five neonates were labeled as suspected cases of NEC, representing 9.5 percent of all admissions. Low birth weight [defined as less than 2000 grams] and lack of breast- feeding were most commonly associated with NEC. Abdominal distension was the commonest presentation seen in 75 percent case