Lipid enemas for meconium evacuation in preterm infants – a retrospective cohort study

Background Enemas are used in preterm infants to promote meconium evacuation, but frequent high-volume enemas might contribute to focal intestinal perforation (FIP). To replace a regime consisting of frequent enemas of varying volume and composition, we implemented a once-daily, low-volume lipid enema (LE) regimen. We investigated its impact on meconium evacuation, enteral nutrition, and gastrointestinal complications in preterm infants. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective study comparing cohorts of preterm infants < 28 weeks gestation or < 32 weeks, but with birth weight < 10th percentile, before and after implementing LE. Outcomes were rates of FIP, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and sepsis. We assessed stooling patterns, early enteral and parenteral nutrition. We used descriptive statistics for group comparisons and logistic regression to identify associations between LE and gastrointestinal complications and to adjust for group imbalances and potential confounders. Exclusion criteria were gastrointestinal malformations or pre-determined palliative care. Results Data from 399 infants were analyzed, 203 before vs. 190 after implementing LE; in the latter period, 55 protocol deviations occurred where infants received no enema, resulting in 3 groups with either variable enemas, LE or no enema use. Rates of FIP and sepsis were 11.9% vs. 6.4% vs. 0.0% and 18.4% vs. 13.5% vs. 14.0%, respectively. NEC rates were 3.0% vs. 7.8% vs. 3.5%. Adjusted for confounders, LE had no effect on FIP risk (aOR 1.1; 95%CI 0.5–2.8; p = 0.80), but was associated with an increased risk of NEC (aOR 2.9; 95%CI 1.0–8.6; p = 0.048). While fewer enemas were applied in the LE group resulting in a prolonged meconium passage, no changes in early enteral and parenteral nutrition were observed. We identified indomethacin administration and formula feeding as additional risk factors for FIP and NEC, respectively (aOR 3.5; 95%CI 1.5–8.3; p < 0.01 and aOR 3.4; 95%CI 1.2–9.3; p = 0.02). Conclusion Implementing LE had no clinically significant impact on meconium evacuation, early enteral or parenteral nutrition. FIP and sepsis rates remained unaffected. Other changes in clinical practice, like a reduced use of indomethacin, possibly affected FIP rates in our cohorts. The association between LE and NEC found here argues against further adoption of this practice. Trial registration Registered at the German Register of Clinical Trials (no. DRKS00024021; Feb 022021).

Time of Onset of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Focal Perforation in Preterm Infants: Impact on Clinical, Surgical, and Histological Features

Objective: There is no gold standard test for diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Timing of onset is used in some definitions and studies in an attempt to separate NEC from focal intestinal perforation (FIP) with 14 days used as a cutoff. In a large, detailed data set we aimed to compare NEC and FIP in preterm infants born &lt;32 weeks gestation, presenting before 14 days of life in comparison to cases presenting later.Design: Infants with NEC or FIP when parents had consented to enrollment in an observational and sample collection study were included from 2009 to 2019. Clinical, surgical, histological, and outcome data were extracted and reviewed by each author independently.Patients/Episodes: In 785 infants, 174 episodes of NEC or FIP were identified of which 73 (42%) occurred before 14 days, including 54 laparotomies and 19 episodes of medically managed NEC (“early”). There were 56 laparotomies and 45 episodes of medically managed NEC presenting on or after 14 days age (“late”).Results: In early cases, 41% of laparotomies were for NEC (22 cases) and 59% for FIP (32 cases), and in late cases, 91% of laparotomies (51 cases) were for NEC and 9% (five cases) were for FIP. NEC presenting early was more likely to present with an initial septic presentation rather than discrete abdominal pathology and less likely to have clear pneumatosis. Early cases did not otherwise differ clinically, surgically, or histologically or in outcomes compared with later cases. FIP features did not differ by age at presentation.Conclusions: Although most FIP occurred early, 14% occurred later, whereas almost one third (29%) of NEC cases (surgical and medical) presented early. Infant demographics and surgical and histological findings of early- and late-presenting disease did not differ, suggesting that early and late cases are not necessarily different subtypes of the same disease although a common pathway of different pathogenesis cannot be excluded. Timing of onset does not accurately distinguish NEC from FIP, and caution should be exercised in including timing of onset in diagnostic criteria.

Necrotising enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis and mortality after routine probiotic introduction in the UK

ObjectiveTo compare necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis (LOS), focal intestinal perforation (FIP) and mortality in infants from a single neonatal unit before and after probiotic introduction.DesignRetrospective review of infants <32 weeks admitted January 2009–December 2012 (no probiotic) and January 2013–December 2017 (routine probiotics). Infants included were admitted before day 3, and not transferred out before day 3. NEC, LOS and FIP were defined with standard definitions.Patients1061 infants were included, 509 preprobiotic and 552 postprobiotic. Median gestation, birth weight and antenatal steroid use did not differ, and proportions of extremely low birthweight infants were similar (37% and 41%).ResultsOverall unadjusted risk of NEC (9.2% (95% CI 7.1 to 12.1) vs 10.6% (95% CI 8.2 to 13.4), p=0.48), LOS (16.3% (95% CI 13.2 to 19.6) vs 14.1% (95% CI 11.5 to 17.4), p=0.37) and mortality (9.2% (95% CI 7.1 to 12.1) vs 9.7% (95% CI 7.6 to 12.6), p=0.76) did not differ, nor proportion of surgical NEC. In multiple logistic regression, accounting for gestation, birth weight, antenatal steroid, maternal milk, chorioamnionitis and sex, probiotic receipt was not significantly associated with NEC (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.08 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.68), p=0.73), LOS or mortality. In subgroup (645 infants) >28 weeks, aOR for NEC in the probiotic cohort was 0.42 (95% CI 0.2 to 0.99, p=0.047). FIP was more common in the probiotic cohort (OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.0 to 5.4), p=0.04), not significant in regression analysis (2.11 (95% CI 0.97 to 4.95), p=0.05).ConclusionsProbiotic use in this centre did not reduce overall mortality or rates of NEC, LOS or FIP but subgroup analysis identified NEC risk reduction in infants >28 weeks, and LOS reduction <28 weeks.

Discriminating necrotising enterocolitis and focal intestinal perforation

Discriminating necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and focal intestinal perforation (FIP) is important for clinical trials, observational cohorts, quality improvement and aetiological understanding. Literature suggests that timing and key features diagnose and discriminate, and that NEC subclassifications exist. We used a detailed 10-year cohort of NEC and FIP cases in preterm infants born <32 weeks’ gestation from a single centre to explore antecedent factors, presentation and potential NEC subclassifications. 785 infants had 144 episodes of NEC and 38 of FIP. FIP presented earlier than NEC, but ranges overlapped, and 30% of NEC presented before day 14. Antecedent events (other than feed volumes) and outcomes did not differ between NEC and FIP. Currently used diagnostic/discriminatory features performed poorly, and subclassification identified few cases except transfusion-associated NEC. Contrary to existing literature, postnatal age at NEC presentation was not dependent on gestational age. Detailed review rather than simple definitions are required to separate NEC from FIP.

Efficacy of Peritoneal Drainage for Focal Intestinal Perforation

Objective: Focal intestinal perforation (FIP), which is characterized by the lack of inflammatory infiltration peripheral to the perforation, develops with few premonitory symptoms. The treatment typically involves laparotomy for drainage or percutaneous drain insertion. We retrospectively investigated the efficacy and risks associated with laparotomy-assisted drainage and peritoneal drainage (PD) for FIP. StudyDesign: This was a retrospective, comparative study.Results: We retrospectively evaluated seven infants with FIP who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between April 2007 and March 2017. Five infants were administered indomethacin and six were administered steroids. The PD group had significantly higher birth weight, higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and shorter operating times. In addition, they gained weight postoperatively but often required adjuvant therapy for bowel function. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the time to post-operative full feeding, and all infants showed improved physical appearance.Conclusions: PD under local anesthesia can be considered for treating infants with FIP who have elevated CRP levels and poor general condition. We think management of this condition is still challenging in our experience, and it is necessary to continue in the future.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis after Octreotide Treatment in a Preterm Newborn with Idiopathic Congenital Chylothorax

Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, has been used for the management of patients with refractory chylothorax. Side effects related to the gastrointestinal system associated with octreotide are necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and focal intestinal perforation. NEC is the most common and dangerous gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants. We present the development of necrotizing enterocolitis after octreotide treatment in a preterm infant with idiopathic congenital chylothorax which settled after discontinuation of octreotide.

A Single-Center Experience with Very Low Birth Weight Infants and Focal Intestinal Perforation: Comparison of Primary Anastomosis versus Stoma Opening

Introduction We present a single-center experience with very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with focal intestinal perforation (FIP), comparing the results of primary anastomosis (PA) and stoma opening (SO). Materials and Methods Clinical records of VLBW infants with FIP who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the procedure performed: limited bowel resection and PA or SO. Patients with gastric perforation or patients who underwent clip and drop were excluded. Information regarding birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), weight at surgery (WS), number of abdominal reoperations, duration of parenteral nutrition (PN), and demise was recorded. Results In this study, 40 patients were included: 22 in PA group and 18 in SO group. BW was 865 g in PA and 778 in SO (p-value: 0.2). GA was 26.1 weeks in PA and 25.6 in SO (p-value: 0.3). WS was 1,014 g in PA and 842 in SO (p-value: 0.09). Duration of surgery was 115 minutes in PA and 122 in SO (p-value: 0.67). Five patients (23%) belonging to PA group developed complications and required SO. Five patients (23%) demised in PA group and six (33%) in SO (p-value: 0.2). Seventeen abdominal reoperations were performed in PA group and 22 in SO group (p-value: 0.08). Conclusion Both procedures appear to be safe. When possible, PA should be performed as it reduces the number of abdominal reinterventions.